5 i8 



The Provision Trade in August. [sept., 



THE PROVISION TRADE IN AUGUST. 

 Hedley Stevens. 



Bacon. — The month of August has experienced a general reaction 

 in nearly all descriptions of hog products, doubtless influenced by the 

 unseasonable weather, and it is generally thought that the highest 

 point has been passed, though it may be some months before any 

 appreciable reduction is experienced. 



During the month singed sides have fallen as follows : — Irish, 

 about 2S. ; Continental, 55. to 75. ; and Canadian, 65. to Ss. 

 per cwt. Most descriptions of American bacon and hams show reduc- 

 tions of from 35. to 55. per cwt., with the one exception of clear 

 bellies, which are dearer on the month on account of extreme scarcity. 



Russia is sending more bacon to Great Britain, and it is reported 

 that more English capital is being invested in the pig-curing business 

 in that country, as it is likely to prove remunerative. There is a 

 prospect of continued small supplies from the United States and 

 Canada. Holland is also pushing for a larger share of our bacon 

 trade. 



Small consignments of cured bacon continue to be received from 

 Australia. This bacon has turned out in good condition, and the prices 

 realised have been near those current for Continental descriptions. 

 These shipments have been experimental, and will doubtless increase. 



Arrivals from the United States and Canada have been a little in 

 excess of those in July, and as the consumption is reported to have 

 fallen off in the States, it is thought that the shipments from that 

 country will show slight increases from now onwards. Early in the 

 month their prices for hogs ranged from $7.45 to $8.95, according to 

 the selection, but by the end of the month they had advanced to 

 $8.45 to $9.50. In the month of August last year prices ranged from 

 $7.35 to $8.20, and two years ago $6.05 to $6.90. 



English and Irish pigs are slightly cheaper on the month, but 

 curers still complain of the shortage of supplies of suitable weights 

 for their requirements. 



Cheese. — Dealers again complain of a small consumptive demand 

 for Canadian cheese, though prices have been reasonable, and 2s. to 45. 

 per cwt. below those current in August last year. This has doubtless 

 been partly brought about by the large make of cheese in our own 

 country, and consequent low prices, the increased make being the result 

 of the weather conditions continuing in favour of a large flow of milk, 

 a smaller proportion of which has been required for drinking purposes 

 this summer, on account of the cool, damp weather. 



Prices in Canada have not shown much change. At the end of 

 the month the best August makes could be contracted at 53s. 6d. c.i.f., 

 and unless the demand in this country shows some real improvement 

 early in September, it is thought that the September makes will be 

 bought at about the same figure. To the middle of August the ship- 

 ments from Canada this season were about 47,000 boxes less than for 

 the same period last year. 



At the end of the month the estimated stock of Canadian cheese at 

 the three principal distributing centres (London, Liverpool, and Bristol) 



