BUTTER CONSUMPTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 12

BUTTER CONSUMPTION

DECLINE IN BRITAIN LOWEST SINCE 1933. SWING TO MARGARINE. LONDON, Jan. 23. Lighter quantities of New Zealand and Australian butter are expected in Britain during the coming weeks, writes the London correspondent of the Auckland Herald. The total now on the way to the United Kingdom from bota countries has fallen well below last year's corresponding figures, and arriving shipments will be limited to 1250 tons a week, as from the week ended February 5, the Imperial Economic Community states in its Weekly Produce notes. Exports of butter from Argentina, where ‘production has been heavier than a year earlier totalled 57,000 boxes during December, as against ! 39,600 boxes in December, 1937. How- : ever, pastures have suffered to some : extent from drought. Some 4900 boxes of South African butter were received last week, but no further shipments have been advised. Stocks accumulated to a marked extent during the year, and the consumption of all butter is estimated at 24.21 b a head and the consumption of margarine at 10.01 b. a head, against 24,81 b. and 8.91 b., respectively, in 1937. The butter market in 1938 was influenced by the following factors:—A marked recovery in Australian production in 1937-38 and the earlier part of the current season; an appreciable reduction in New Zealand output, causing exports to fall away; very favourable production conditions in European countries and a consequent expansion of experts; the absence of exports from Russia; a further increase in imports into Germany; very favourable production conditions in the United States and Canada, and the accumulation of abnormally heavy stocks in these countries; a continuance of the upward trend in butter prices apparent since 1935, and a marked net increase in storage stocks in the United Kingdom, so that apparent consumption of imported butter fell away and the consumption of margarine was considerably increased. Toward the end of 1938 Australian production was severely curtailed by adverse weather, and shipments were rapidly declining. New Zealand production remained below the previous year’s level and exports from some European countries were affected by the cold weather conditions and the widespread incidence of foot and mouth disease.