1908.] 



Provision Trade in November. 



721 



decrease of 202,720 cheese. New York has shipped us 83,437 boxes this 

 year, as against 31,429 during the corresponding period last year, an increase 

 of 52,008 cheese, or a total decrease of over 150,000 cheese. The estimated 

 stocks of Canadian cheese at the end of the month in the three principal 

 distributing ports (London, Liverpool and Bristol) are 397,000, against 

 386,000 last year, an increase this year of 11,000, which, with the decreased 

 receipts into the country of 150,000, shows a considerable reduction in the 

 consumption of cheese from Canada and the United States. Stocks left in 

 Canada are stated to be less than at the same time last year, but it is 

 difficult to arrive at a correct estimate, the various reports being so 

 conflicting. The first arrival of New Zealand reached London the third 

 week in November, and the quality is reported to be satisfactory, consider- 

 ing the early make. Sales were made at 59.9. to 60s. per cwt. 



On account of the abnormally mild weather during the month, with 

 plenty of grass, English cheese makers have continued their operations 

 longer than usual, and, although the quality has been irregular, their 

 product has found ready markets at the prices asked in competition with 

 Canadian, on account of the prevailing high prices of the latter. 



Butter — Chiefly on account of the exceptionally mild weather during the 

 entire month, and the abnormally high prices at the commencement of the 

 month, the demand has been very disappointing. Buyers have continued 

 their hand-to-mouth policy, and anticipations as to lower prices proved 

 correct, as by the end of the month prices on imported lots had fallen 

 8s. to 12s. per cwt., with still further reductions expected, unless the weather 

 should suddenly turn cold. 



Supplies from the Colonies and from foreign countries continued to be 

 much in excess of the demand, and in addition, the weather conditions 

 being favourable, there has been a larger English make for the month than 

 for many years past, which had to be consumed and so took the place of 

 imported lots. Cables report shipments from Australia, from 1st July to the 

 end of November, about 2,000 tons less than the corresponding period last 

 year, and 4,000 below the same period of the previous year. Letters from 

 the United States dated 18th November, report: — Fresh special creamery 

 butter making equal to 146^. per cwt, and ordinary finest 140J. to 142^. 

 Stored lots of summer makes 128^. to 134-$". per cwt. Prices in Canada are 

 also above an export basis. 



Eggs. — There has been a good demand throughout the month with best 

 selections in small supply, large weights realizing tall prices. Pickled eggs 

 have been largely drawn on earlier than usual, and have realized good prices, 

 in some cases 8d. to lod. per hundred advance being paid above prices current 

 when the contracts were entered into. English are especially scarce, and 

 generally high prices are anticipated for December, when the Christmas 

 requirements will be filled. Irish are fetching is. to is. 6d. above their 

 market value at this time last year. 



The Montreal Trade Bulletin of 13th November reports: "There has 

 been a firm feeling in the Egg Market, and prices show a further advance 

 of 1 cent per dozen, making an advance of 2 to 2\ cents per dozen during 

 the past two weeks. The trade reports that the demand for eggs is very 

 heavy, being unprecedented for this time of year. There have been very 

 few lots of Canadian eggs gone forward to the English markets, the total 

 exports this season to date only amounting to 6,710 cases." These cases 

 contain 360 eggs. 



