i9io.] 



The Provision Trade in May. 



251 



Carcass Mutton — Fresh Killed. — The trade was quiet with very even 

 prices till the last week, when Scotch fetched S^d. and English *j\d> 

 per lb. for best quality, the monthly averages being Sd. and y^d. 

 Dutch mutton was selling at 6\d. to yd. per lb. 



Frozen Mutton. — This article was in unlimited supply, and prices 

 ruled lower than in April by about \d. per lb. The best New Zealand 

 was procurable at \d. per lb. at any time in the Central Market. 



Carcass Lamb. — The demand for British lamb in London was 

 exceedingly poor, and prices for the best never exceeded g^d. per lb. 

 The best New Zealand sold more freely at about 5^d. 



Veal. — Supplies were large, and prices ranged a little below those 

 of April. Best English averaged 7§d. and Dutch j%d. per lb. 



Pork. — Although a smaller business was doing, trade was good for 

 the time of year, and small English pigs averaged y\d. and Dutch 

 7\d. per lb. 



THE PROVISION TRADE IN MAY. 

 Hedley Stevens. 



Bacon. — Prices have fluctuated considerably during the month, being 

 at their lowest point during the week ending May 7th, when, on 

 account of the approaching holidays and some accumulation of Con- 

 tinental and other lightly cured meats which require a quick market, 

 prices were reduced to bring on the consumption. By the end of the 

 month quotations had generally advanced on all descriptions of bacon 

 arid hams. This advance was mainly brought about by the continued 

 short supplies from the United States and Canada, these being about 

 half what they were for the same period last year, when they were 

 much below the average. 



Advices from both the United States and Canada point to still 

 further reductions in the quantities to be shipped in the near future, 

 as, though we are on an exceedingly high basis of prices on spot, we 

 are several shillings per cwt. under cost of production. During the 

 past month a further record was established, when, for one week, only 

 2,300 boxes of bacon shipped to Liverpool. Importers are afraid to 

 contract for shipment at the prices demanded, and, in consequence, most 

 of the arrivals are composed of parcels consigned by a few leading 

 packers for sale on the English markets in order to keep their brands 

 before the trade. 



American lard shows a drop of about 4s. per cwt. on the month, 

 and the demand was ver,y small. 



English pigs show little change in price, although the quantities 

 , offered on all markets continue small. 



Both English and Irish bacon was in good demand, on account of 

 i the shortage in imports. 



Cheese, — The consumptive demand throughout the month has been 

 very disappointing, and prices have favoured buyers, there being a 

 > reduction each week. This has been brought about by the continued 

 large arrivals from New Zealand, which, at the prices asked, say, from 

 -35. to 55. under best old Canadians, are considered better value. This 

 [has had the same effect on the new Canadian makes, buyers refusing 



