254 



The Provision Trade in May. [june, 1909 



has made dealers very timid of operating to any extent in this light 

 cured class of meat, which must be consumed immediately to be palat- 

 able. Killings in Denmark have been less for the month. 



Unfortunately, the English and Irish pig-growers are not in a posi- 

 tion to take full advantage of the high prices current for imported 

 goods, having killed a lot of their breeding stock, and in some cases 

 the English curers have great difficulty in filling even a portion of their 

 requirements, although willing to pay advanced prices. During the 

 month some curers in the West of England have purchased pigs in the 

 eastern counties, which means a heavy carriage bill. 



Cheese. — During the month the sentiment entirely changed, and by 

 the end of the second week, prices of Canadian and New Zealand had 

 advanced several shillings per cwt., chiefly on account of the small 

 stocks of Canadian on hand. Stocks in Canada being practically 

 cleared, and with the large arrivals of New Zealand being absorbed, 

 no great reduction in prices is anticipated for some weeks, the warm 

 weather and high prices for hog products having considerably increased 

 the consumption of cheese. 



The competition in Canada for the early fodder makes has again 

 been very keen on English account, and in consequence high prices have 

 been paid, everything being cleared up at the end of the month on a 

 basis of 60s. — 61s., c.i.f. Some time about the middle of the month i2| 

 cents per lb. was paid to the farmers at some of the Canadian markets, 

 which is 2\ cents per lb. above that which pays him a handsome profit, 

 namely, 10 cents ($d.) per lb. 



The estimated stocks of Canadian cheese at the three principal 

 distributing centres (London, Liverpool, and Bristol) at the end of the 

 month were 63,000 cheese, against 83,000 at the same time last year, 

 and 78,000 two years ago. 



Stocks of old cheese are also about cleared up in the United States, 

 and the new fodder makes are realising much the same prices as in 

 Canada. 



English cheese has experienced a good demand, and the stocks of 

 " old " have been very much reduced. A good fodder make is in 

 progress. 



Butter. — The exceptionally dry weather during May caused butter 

 to advance in price, which gave operators more confidence, and stored 

 stocks have been considerably reduced. The new arrivals of New 

 Zealand and Australian have cleared steadily during the month at 

 advancing prices. In Canada the supplies of new butter are increasing 

 daily, and prices are down to 21 cents to 22 cents per lb. 



The near arrivals from Siberia are expected to be considerably 

 above those of last year, the season is two weeks earlier, and it is 

 estimated that the make will show an increase of 20 to 25 per cent., 

 the increased quantity probably reaching England during June. 



Butter is still high in the United States, there being a scarcity of 

 best grades, which are realising 27 cents to 28 cents (is. 2d.) per lb. 



At the end of the month, Irish was more freely marketed, and with 

 the general rains lower prices are anticipated. 



Eggs. — There has been a good trade in eggs throughout the month, 

 chiefly in Irish and French. The Continental demand continues good, 

 so that there are few left over for export. 



