New Zealand Butter in England.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 4340, 12 April 1902, Page 4

New Zealand Butter in England.

Bright Prospects. Equal to Danish. A correspondent writing from London, on the 28th February says:— Never before have the prospects for high prices for Australian and New Zealand butter during the month of March looked so bright as at present. There is an absolute deficiency of supplies from Australia this March compared with last of 83,300 boxes and a deficiency from New Zealand of 6000 boxes, which totals about 560 tons a week. Against this there is an estimated increase in all other imports of about 230 tons a week, which leaves a deficit of 330 tons, or 23,200 boxes, a week. How this short supply compared with last year is to be made up it is difficult to understand. America, which then sent 18,009 cwt., cannot send much now. Prices there are abnormally high ; choice creamery butter is bringing 140 s per cwt., and even “ process ” butter is making 112 sto 116 s, so that supplies from there are impossible. Canada has nothing to ship, Ireland has nothing, and none of the Continental countries have any surplus. Russia and Siberia cannot come before May or J une. Thus the statistical position is a very strong one. Prices are now at 6s per cwt. higher than they were last year at this time. One curious feature is the near approach of New Zealand butter to Danish in price. A little time ago they were nearly equal, and then Danish took a spurt upward, but it has been checked owing to buyers 'refusing to follow the rise and buying New Zealand instead. In the North of England both New Zealand and Danish in many places are being retailed at the same price. Hence the grocer prefers to buy New Zealand as he gets it 2s to 4s cheaper than Danish, and as he sells both at the same price he naturally makes 2s to 4s per cwt. more profit on it.