884 



The Provision Trade in December. 



JAN., 



large supplies of the first-named. After Christmas the very small 

 arrivals from the north caused a sharp advance of fd. per lb. Scotch 

 averaged yd. and 6^d. for first and second quality, English 6\d. and 

 5fd., and Dutch 6d. and 5§d. per lb. 



Frozen Mutton and Lamb. — The best New Zealand mutton averaged 

 ^\d. and ^d. per lb. ; Australian, $\d. ; and Argentine 3^. to 3fd. per lb. 

 Frozen lamb was firm for the time of year, and its averages (for New 

 Zealand) of 5^. and 5fcZ. per lb. were slightly above those of Novem- 

 ber. Australian new season lamb fetched ^\d. to $d. per lb. 



Veal. — British veal of first and second quality averaged in London 

 7fd. and 6%d. per lb., but there were lower qualities on offer which 

 did not approach these in price. 



Pork. — The weather was rather too mild and damp for the trade, 

 but, nevertheless, prices improved during the last two weeks, when yd.. 

 per lb. was touched at Smithfield for prime small English. The 

 month's averages were 6§<2. and 5§<2. for first and second quality. 

 Dutch sold at slightly lower prices. 



THE PROVISION TRADE IN DECEMBER. 

 Hedley Stevens. 



Although the year 191 1 was a trying one for dealers, especially 

 during the three months of abnormally hot weather, on the whole 

 business has not been so trying and unprofitable as during the year 

 19 10. Hog products have been more plentiful and cheaper than for 

 the past two years, with freer arrivals from most countries, especially 

 from the United States of America and Denmark. As a result of the 

 high prices of feeding stuffs, English pigs have been marketed very 

 freely during the latter part of the year, which will mean higher 

 prices for the raw material, and dearer bacon during 1912, the same 

 conditions having existed in other countries. The hot weather during 

 the principal months for manufacturing cheese and butter caused a 

 large shrinkage in the home make, and prices for both these com- 

 modities are expected to range exceptionally high before the next 

 season commences. 



Bacon. — The consumptive demand was disappointing for the month, 

 considering the low prices prevailing, most descriptions being pro- 

 curable at under November's low prices. The special features were 

 the continued free offerings and comparatively low prices of long sides. 

 In one week in the month the killings in Denmark created a record 

 for that country, being 55,200 pigs. 



Arrivals from America and Canada were in excess of require- 

 ments, and in consequence prices have favoured buyers. The demand 

 for hams for the Christmas trade was unusually small. Dealers report 

 that in December, 19 10, when prices ranged from ijs. to 205-. per cwt. 

 higher, their sales were considerably larger. 



The consumptive demand in America for December is reported less, 

 and in consequence packers have been able to accumulate a little stock 

 in their cellars, and prices are slightly in buyers' favour. During 

 December very little contracting for forward shipment was 

 effected, as packers look for dearer hogs early in the spring, and 

 importers refuse to pay the prices demanded. The values of hogs in 



