COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE".

Colonist, Volume XXXI, Issue 5170, 24 March 1888, Page 3

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE".

HOPS. Thb ' Melbourne Age' of Maroh 10 states: —Respecting hops, we take the following figures from our Annual Keview, which fairly give the position:—" In estimating the probable wants for the present year against the supply, the question of old stock is one of considerable importance. The supply of really good old Victorion and Tasmanian hops outside the hands of brewers is very small, but, on the other hand, the quantity of inferior 1886's and 1885's is Btill large. These latter, however, we may discard when dealing with our estimates, which thiß year we confine to what may be regarded as aotual marketable hops, fit for brewiDg and other purposes. The figures stand thus:— owt. Stocks on Ist March, 1888, exclusive of olds and very olds, outside breweries.. .. ' .. .. 4600 Victorian crop of 1888 .. .. 6228 Probable imports, based on past average. ~ 4000 14,828 Home consumption— Brewing.. .. .. 8850 Other .. .. .. 1000 Exports to other colonies 2200 Carried to Btook ~ 1000 13,050 1,778 Last year we had a surplus, including stocks of old hops, amounting to 8031 cwt, and this season we have the smaller supply ia Tasmania to meet our requirements, hunce it is fair to assume that prices for all good hopa will rule higher throughout 1888 than in 1387. The Nelson crop has yet to be dealt with, but the quantity likely to come from thiß market is not large." The demand today has been good, and some fair parcels have changed hands at improving prices.