156 MARKETS 



densed milk in our home markets has, also, been increasing 

 rapidly within recent years, and is today assuming astonishing 

 proportions. The rapid growth of the ice cream industry has 

 further developed a splendid and ever-increasing market for 

 plain condensed bulk milk. 



It is estimated that the canned condensed milk is from three 

 to six months old before it reaches the consumer. It is usually 

 sold through the medium of a jobber or broker and not direct 

 from manufacturer to retailer. In its transit to the distant 

 markets, it is subjected to many delays; first, by its storage in 

 the factory, then the time in transportation, next, the delay in 

 the warehouse of the jobber, broker or wholesale dealer. From 

 there it gradually finds its way to the shelves of the retailer, 

 where there is again considerable delay before it reaches the 

 pantry of the consumer. 



Market Prices of Condensed Milk. The price of condensed 

 milk is not controlled by the general market of dairy products, 

 nor by any board of trade ; there is no consistent uniformity of 

 price throughout the country as is the case of butter and cheese. 

 The price of condensed milk does not necessarily follow the 

 rise and fall of the butter and cheese markets, but in the long 

 run it is usually affected by abrupt fluctuations of prices of these 

 other dairy products, largely on account of the influence of such 

 fluctuations on the supply to the condensery of fresh milk. It 

 is chiefly governed by local conditions of supply and demand, 

 composition of product and reputation of the individual brand. 

 Condensed milk is sold under hundreds of different brands or 

 labels. While one and the same concern may sell scores of 

 different brands, the brand itself has very little, if anything, to 

 do with the quality or composition of the contents of the can. 

 Each brand usually sells at its own special price, although the 

 various brands put on the market by the same concern often 

 contain the same quality of milk and may be filled with con- 

 densed milk from one and the same batch. It is customary in 

 most factories to fill the cans before they are labeled and the 

 orders for different brands of condensed milk are filled from 

 the same general stock. The brands serve largely as an in- 

 strument to increase the sales and "dodge" competitors. 



