7io 



The Provision Trade in October, [nov., 191 1. 



is very favourable, is not worth as much as the September make. 

 However, the weather on the whole this year has been favourable for 

 the October make, especially during the first half of the month. The 

 cabled reports from Canada as to the shortage in the season's make of 

 cheese are very conflicting, but a safe estimate is 140,000 cheese. 



The shortage of stored stocks of all descriptions in England is more 

 apparent, as we are practically at the end of the season's make. Only 

 the fact that the arrivals from New Zealand are now near at hand 

 keeps prices at their present level. The first shipment is due in London 

 on November 16th, and regular weekly arrivals will follow, although 

 the quantities on the first steamers will be small. Contracts are still i 

 being made for regular deliveries throughout the season (December, 

 191 1 to June 19 12) at around 685. landed terms. Cables from New i 

 Zealand report favourable conditions for a large make, and as the 

 prices are very remunerative to the farmers, they will do their best to 

 manufacture a record quantity. Contrary to the usual custom, most 

 of the output has this season been purchased by the English houses, j 

 instead of being consigned for sale at market price on arrival. 



At the end of the month the stock of Canadian cheese at the three j 

 principal distributing centres (London, Liverpool, and Bristol) was 

 340,000 cheese, against 426,000 at the same time last year, an 

 378,000 two years ago. 



English cheese has been in good demand, and extreme prices have 

 been paid for fancy parcels, as really desirable lots for the winter trade 

 are in small supply. It is estimated that the make of English cheese is 

 25 per cent, less than last season. 



Butter. — Contrary to expectation, prices have fallen during the month, | 

 and some descriptions are as much as id. per lb. cheaper. The extremeh 

 high prices (about 2d. per lb. over those current at the same time la- 

 year) have curtailed the consumption, and increased the demand fo 

 butter substitutes. 



The arrivals from Siberia are now falling off in quantity, as the 

 season is getting near its close. The shipments from Australia from 

 September 1st to the end of October were about 50,000 boxes less than 

 for the same time last year, but cables report the conditions favourablej 

 for a large make, and doubtless this shortage will, soon be made up. 

 The shipments from New Zealand , are also a little less, but a large 

 make may be expected in that country during the coming season. 

 Canada has still been shipping butter to this country, but that source oi 

 supply is now nearly exhausted for this year. It is interesting to note 

 that the Canadian arrivals' during the past season show a large increase 

 over the previous two years, the shipments from Montreal being as 

 follows: — From May 1st to October 31st, 1911, 133,612 packages, 

 against 27,341 during the same period of 19 10, and 38,588 in 1909. 



In the United States of America prices are now beyond an expon 

 basis, and the stocks in cold store are much less than at the same tim< 

 last year. 



Eggs. — English new-laid have been extremely scarce and dear, whicfl 

 has helped the trade considerably for finest preserved, especially bes 

 Irish. 



