1909.] The Provision Trade in January. 



88/ 



amount of business passed even at the advance demanded by sellers. 

 There has also been more contracting' done for American meats for 

 shipment, but most of the packers refuse to sell, beyond January and 

 February shipments, unless at a big premium. 



Danish bacon arrived in smaller quantities, and agents were able 

 to secure higher prices, but by the end of the month killings were 

 reported to be larger. Arrivals of Canadian continued to diminish, 

 being exceptionally small towards the latter end of the month. This 

 was due to Canadian hogs still being so scarce, and, consequently, high 

 in price. Spot prices advanced several shillings during the month. 



There has been a very fair trade in English and Irish bacon. 

 Curers report a difficulty in obtaining light English pigs, especially 

 in the West of England. 



In reviewing the last year's trade in imported bacon, Denmark 

 shows an increase over the previous year of more than 244,000 cwt., 

 and 587,000 over 1906. American also shows an increase of 260,000 cwt. 

 over last year, when arrivals were below the average. Canada showed 

 a decrease of nearly 190,000 cwt. 



Cheese. — This article also participated in the improved trade early 

 in the month, and holders were easily able to realise is. to 2s. advance, 

 the demand being chiefly for the under-priced lots. Summer makes 

 have been mostly cleared, so that buyers had to turn their attention 

 to the cheaper parcels of the late made goods. Around the middle of 

 the month some sales were made by Montreal houses at prices ranging 

 from 595. to 61s. 



At the end of the month the demand was not so good, and holders 

 show T ed willingness to meet buyers to a slight extent in prices, more 

 especially in the cheaper selections. Advices from the Canadian shipping 

 points report stocks clearing fast, and as likely to be considerably 

 below the average at the end of the month. 



Arrivals of New Zealand have been large, and sales have been 

 pushed to avoid, if possible, an accumulation of stock. Quantities 

 far in excess of last year are reported to be in transit, most of which 

 have been contracted for at high prices. Some recent arrivals have 

 shown unsatisfactory quality. 



There has been a fair trade in English cheese, though chiefly in the 

 lower-priced lots. The latest advices from New York report best 

 American cheese making equal to 68s. -70s. per cwt. 



Butter. — Early in the month the demand improved and prices 

 advanced a little, chiefly influenced by the anticipated temporary 

 shortage of New Zealand, through the damage by fire to the cargo 

 of the ss. Paparoa. She had aboard 38,657 boxes (56 lb.), and out 

 of these only about 7,000 were reported to be in fair condition, the 

 rest being either jettisoned, melted, or only fit for confectionery 

 purposes, some selling at about 40s. to 50s. per cwt. Weather 

 conditions in New Zealand are reported favourable, and a large make 

 in progress. 



Prices in Canada and United States were still very high, conse- 

 quently there were no imports from these countries. States Specials 

 were fetching about 1565. per cwt. in New York City. 



Eggs. — The demand has continued good throughout the month, 

 with no accumulation of stocks. Prices generally w r ere above the 

 average. At the end of the month merchants reported difficulty in 

 obtaining sufficient supplies to fill their orders. 



