J9ioJ 



The Provision Trade in April. 



Frozen Beef. — For about half the month, "hard" beef was virtually 

 crowded out of the market by the lower qualities of the chilled, and 

 the prices quoted were really almost nominal. These were from 3§aT. 

 .to 43d. per lb. for hind quarters, and about §<2. less for forequarters. 



Carcase Mutton — Fresh Killed. — Scotch and English mutton was a 

 quiet and featureless trade in the London Central Market, and prices 

 ruled in proportion to those of the live-stock markets. Prime Scotch 

 fetched from y\d. to 7fcZ., and best English yd. to y\d. per lb. 



Frozen Mutton. — Salesmen complained of the slowness of the 

 demand, and prices varied very little from those of March. The finest 

 New Zealand sold at <\d. to *\hd. per lb. 



Carcase Lamb. — The London demand was quiet throughout. Prime 

 English touched is. per lb. in the first week, but did not afterwards 

 •exceed nd. 



Veal. — Supplies fully equalled demand, and J Id. per lb. was not 

 •exceeded for English. Some prime small Dutch occasionally sold at Sd. 



Pork.— There was some shortage, and prices remained high for the 

 time of year. Prime small English ranged between J^d. and S^d. per lb. 



THE PROVISION TRADE IN APRIL. 

 Hedley Stevens. 



Bacon. — The month's trading has again been unsatisfactory, both 

 in regard to quantity consumed and profits realised by merchants and 

 retailers. The curtailment in consumption on account of the extremely 

 high prices has been more apparent, and merchants, finding their stocks 

 accumulating, reduced their prices with a view to forcing the demand, 

 but their efforts were attended with very little, if any, success. Danish 

 and Canadian mild cured meats have fallen from 8s.-gs. in price during 

 the month, and some cuts of American show a reduction of from 45.-55. 

 per cwt. 



During the month there was quite a reaction in the prices of all 

 hog products in the United States owing to a slight increase in the 

 number of hogs marketed, but more especially to a determined effort 

 on the part of packers to force lower prices. There has also been a 

 slackening in the consumptive demand on account of the arrival of 

 fresh vegetables and eggs. Some packers, finding the business so 

 unprofitable, have ceased killing, closing their houses for a time until 

 hogs can be bought at more normal prices. At Chicago on April 1st the 

 top price was $10.92^, but by April 18th the top figures were $8.80. 

 The highest price for the same month last year was $7.55, and two years 

 -ago it was $6.20. 



Shipments from the United States show further reduction, and for 

 one week during the month a further record was established, when 

 •only 3,300 boxes were shipped to Liverpool, and, as no forward sales 

 are being made, it is confidently expected that these figures will show 

 -still further reductions. The same remarks apply to Canada, and as 

 the product of this country is still realising by sale in England several 

 shillings under cost, doubtless there will be further curtailment in the 

 arrivals from this source. 



American lard experienced a big slump during April, the reduction 

 in price being from ios.-iis. per cwt. in about twelve days, resulting 

 in operators making some heavy losses. By the end of the month 

 prices had somewhat recovered. 



