BUTTER AND CHEESE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1934, Page 16

BUTTER AND CHEESE

VACUUM-PACKED PRODUCE. SUBSTANTIAL PRICE PREMIUMS. London, March 15. New Zealand butter and cheese sent to London in vacuum containers are not products one hears about in the neighbourhood of Tooley Street, but there are a number of people who are taking a great interest in this new development. Tooley Street merchants are not at present interested, of course, because it is a commission trade and not a speculative trade. Moreover, there is a very real obstacle of the retailer’s assistant, to whom the opening of a large tin and the subsequent disposal of that tin are not tasks to be undertaken lightly.and willingly. Nevertheless, the very excellent butter—ll2 half-pound packets in a easels being, greatly appreciated by a certain class of buyers. The price has been maintained at 14s a cwt. premium over the best bulk butter, and' about 100 tons have been sold. This, of course, is only a very modest quantity, but it is enough to test the feelings of a section of the trade, and it appears that the high quality and fresh condition should be the means of gradually overcoming trade custom and trade prejudices. Vacuum cheese, however, is in a different category. It lasts longer and the trouble with the tin is proportionately less. Moreover, cheese has been endowed with a dignity which allows for ceremonious handling. Indeed, the more ceremony the better. Some 600 101 b. cheeses have already been sold, and the quality and lasting power are remarkable. Those who have tried it say that after keeping the cheese for 12 weeks in an ordinary larder and using it as required, the last piece was as good as the first. Moreover, there were no cracks in the cheese, but a slight rind had appeared at the end of the period. Definite orders have been booked on the samples at 22s a cwt. premium over the price of the best Ched,dar imported into England. The agents in London have received many flattering comments on the quality of this vacuum-packed cheese, and stores and retailers have had no hesitation in selling it at a retail price of 3d per lb. more than other imported Cheddar. The arrival of further ard larger consignments of the cheese will be awaited with interest.