BRITAIN’S BUTTER SUPPLY

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 19

BRITAIN’S BUTTER SUPPLY

Decline In Arrivals DANISH SHIPMENTS SMALLER LONDON, March 10. Trade for box butter was firm during the early part of February, although the high prices reached at the end of January were not exceeded, the Imperial Economic Committee states in its latest weekly dairy notes. Later the market became quieter and declined to some'extent.

The price for New Zealand finest salted was 8 per cent, higher than in February ,1938, being 121/6 per cwt, as compared with 112/-. Australian was 6 per cent, higher, 118/6, compared with 111/9, and Danish was 15 per cent, higher, 146/6, compared with 127/-. Arrivals of butter from Australia and New Zealand during February totalled only 772,200 boxes, as against 988,100 boxes in January, and 1,062,800 in February 1938. Prospective arrivals from these sources during the current month, estimated at 826,000 boxes, are well below last year’s corresponding figure of 917,300 boxes. Arrivals in April should also be smaller than a year earlier. Gradings in Australia during February were 38 per cent, smaller than a year ago. The beneficial effects of recent rain are said to be apparent, but it is doubtful whether prpduction will be assisted to any pronounced extent during coming .months. The latest figures for New Zealand indicate a marked decline in output, which is now well below last year’s figures. Butter production in most European exporting countries during February continued on a rather small scale and exports have in general remained well

below last year’s figures. Shipments from Denmark during the month were 12 per cent, lighter than a year earlier. Production conditions in Germany now appear , to be more satisfactory, output being very little less than a year ago. Imports into Germany, which, during January, were 25 per cent, below last year’s corresponding figure, have again been smaller than a year earlier.It is also stated by the committee that Germany imported “appreciable quantities” of eggs from New Zealand in January. She bought from the Dominion 7342 great hundreds. No eggs from New Zealand, were imported by Germany the January of the two preceding years.