430 



The Provision Trade in July, [aug., 1909. 



Canadian bacon continues to arrive in very small quantities, and, in 

 consequence, higher prices have been realised, but results are yet un- 

 satisfactory to the Canadian packers on account of the high prices 

 demanded for hogs. A recent issue of the Montreal Trade Bulletin 

 says: — "That the raising of hogs in Canada is rapidly decreasing is 

 indicated by the proportionately large number of sows that have lately 

 been marketed. This, together with the great scarcity of hogs and their 

 high price, has reduced the export trade in bacon very materially, as 

 Danish bacon is underselling Canadian in the English market. Live 

 hogs sold in this market during the week at $9.00 per 100 lb., such high 

 prices precluding the possibility of shipping bacon to the English market 

 except at an unprofitably low figure. The supply of hogs is so small 

 that immense quantities of American hog products have to be imported 

 in order to supply the home market. The Canadian export bacon trade 

 was at one time quite a lucrative business, but during the past few 

 years it has dwindled down to almost nothing." 



During the whole of the month arrivals from the United States have 

 been very small, but apparently sufficient for the reduced consumption. 

 Hams have been selling a little more freely, but merchants have been 

 accepting orders at from 45. to 6s. per cwt. under the prices they would 

 have to pay in America in order to replace their stocks. Towards the 

 end of the month hogs arrived more freely at Chicago, some selections 

 falling to $7.90, as against $8.40 earlier in the month. 



English pigs continue scarce, and extreme prices have been realised. 

 There is a favourable opportunity for breeders to make money if they 

 have any young stock coming on. 



Cheese. — All dealers report an unsatisfactory month's trade. 

 Canadian shippers have been able to keep prices on a basis which 

 prevents merchants being able to make a satisfactory profit on this side 

 of the water. Delivery figures for London show that there has been 

 considerably less business done for July than at the same time last 

 year, also the arrivals which passed through Surrey Commercial Docks 

 since January 1st were over 100,000 cheese less than for the correspond- 

 ing period of last year. Prices are a little lower than last season. 



The make in Canada is reported to be below the normal, and up 

 to July 17th the receipts into Montreal were about 4,000 boxes less than 

 last year, when the quantity was considerably below the previous year. 

 At the end of the month the estimated stocks at the three principal 

 distributing centres (London, Liverpool, and Bristol) were 216,000, 

 against 236,000 last year, and 221,000 two years back. 



The make of English cheese has been large, and prices were easier 

 by the end of the month. In some sections the quality is reported to be 

 irregular, doubtless owing to the unseasonable weather. 



Butter. — There has been a steady trade throughout the month, with 

 an absence of speculation, dealers preferring to buy as required. 

 Arrivals from Siberia have been large, but will shortly be much smaller. 

 Arrivals from Australia and New Zealand have been very small, this 

 being the end of their season. A few shipments have arrived from 

 Canada, but the prices there are still considered to be above a safe 

 export basis. The make is reported to be less than last year. 



Eggs. — There has been a moderate trade, with prices slightly dearer 

 at the end of the month, especially for reliable selections. 



