MARKETS FOR N.Z. BUTTER IN U.S.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 221, 19 September 1941, Page 5

MARKETS FOR N.Z. BUTTER IN U.S.

THE POSITION EXPLORED DIRECTOR’S REPORT TO DAIRY CONFERENCE (Press Assn.) Wellington, Sept. 18. An account of his recent visit to the United States with the Hon. F. Langstone, to inquire into the possibilities of shipment to that country and discussions with the United Kingdom Ministries of Food and Shipping and Economic Warfare, was given to the Dominion Dairy Conference in Wellington to-day by the Director of Exoor’ Marketing, Mr. G. A. Duncan. The United States had been selfsupporting in butter and cheese requirements, bv virtue of her colossal production. The possibilities of the development of the market for butter were overshadowed by shipping and tariff difficulties. Endeavours were being made to maintain, as far as possible, regular outlets for butter to the United Slates and to Bermuda. Barbados, British Kuiana. British Honduras, the Bahamas and Jamaica. In the present shipping conditions it was impossible to push the sale of butter, notwithstanding that the prices in the United States were nearing a point at which the present heavy duty could be absorbed. It was a possibility that more favourable arrangement might fie made, thus opening up opportunities for trade, when shipping became available. The outlook was distinctly hopeful. Mr. Duncan said he had visited Canada to ascertain the prospects of shipment of butter assuming that the necessary shipping could be made available. Summed up. the position concerning butter exports to the United States and Canada was as follows:

(1) ihe development of any considerable market was dependent on the securing of additional refrigerated ships. (2) In the meantime, efforts were being made to process butter into pure butterfat, which could be carried as ordinary cargo, in an endeavour to market the New Zealand product in that form. *3) Experiments were being carried out to ascertain if butter could be successfully carried in “fruit ships” which maintained chilled temperature. Distribution of butter and cheese in the United Kingdom was made by the Minister of Food, through first-hand importers, wholesalers and retailers. On all table butters were sold as “national" butter, irrespective of brands. Factors which would influence the post-war market in the United Kingdom for New Zealand butter and cheese were: (1) The time of the ending of the

v. a i’. ... (2) The purchasing power in the Unit'ffi Kingdom and the position in the United Kingdom after the war in regard to employment. (3) The United Kingdom Exnort trade position and the extent to which she could regain her export trade in manufactured goods. (4) The United Kingdom food policy after the war and the position of her agriculture. (5) The extent of the supply of butter and cheese to devastated Europe. (6) The retail prices for butter and margarine and the extent of the sales’ of butter which would be possible. at varying price margins above the price of margarine. (7) The shipping situation. (8) The speed of European recovery after the war, particularly in respect of butter production. (9) The method of post-war distribution.