BUTTER FOR BRITAIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21154, 29 September 1938, Page 3

BUTTER FOR BRITAIN

SOURCES OF SUPPLY NEW ZEALAND'S STRONG POSITION While New Zealand continues to hold her position as the principal supplier of butter and cheese tc Great Britain, exports to that quarter so far r.s this year are below those of last year. Foreign butter production continues to increase, and for the first time in many years now exceeds supplies from Empire countries. Imports of butter into Britain for the first eight months of this year showed a fairly considerable increase on the tw< previous years. The total of 333,708 tons compares with 327,628 tons to August 31, 1937, end 328,833 tons in 1936. Tire following table compares the position of New Zealand butter imports in Britain, in tons, in the first eight months of the past three years with those of its leading competitors: 1938. 1937 1936. New Zealand . 93,487 101,978 92,076 Denmark .. .. .82,446 78,259 72,310 Australia .. .. 59,092 50,389 63,725 Netherlands .. 26,381 26,693 24,337 Ireland 11,314 - 12,040 16.118 Sweden 11,037 7,006 5,015 During the period under review, ‘he Empire contributed 166.681 tons and foreign countries 167,027 toils. In 1935 Imports from the Empire were 179,912 tons and foreign only 148,921 tons. Increased Continental production has been largely responsible for the alteration. Denmark, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Latvia all are making steady inroads into the British market at the expense of Empire producers. Imports from Argentina have dropped steadily for some years, while Russia has suddenly withdrawn her supplies this year, after providing 10,392 tons in the first eight months of 1937. New Zealand’s supremacy in the cheese market is very marked, as is shown in the following table of imports into Britain to August 31 in the past three years, amounts being ‘n tons:— 193<S. 1937. 1936. New Zealand .. 60,223 62.833 61,204 Canada .. .. 13,837 15,321 10,804 Australia .. .. 7.G02 3,837 ”,295 Netherlands .. 7.48 P 7,376 5,697 The rapid increase in Australian cheese production is most marked. Other countries also have Improved their position in recent years, although New Zealand has suffered a setback this year. Empire countries supply almost 90 per cent, of Britain’s cheese requirements.