i9i i.] The Provision Trade in December. 871 



February and March, with the lower-priced product to follow. Ship- 

 ments from Denmark during the year have been below those of 1909, 

 but the total weight has been in excess of that received from the 

 United States for the same period. The shipments from Russia are 

 an important feature, these goods largely taking the place of American 

 singed sides, and the cheaper Continental. The arrivals into London 

 some weeks have been around 3,000 bales, or the product ot, say, 

 6,000 pigs. The quality and general appearance continues to improve. 



It has been a very trying year for the English curing houses, on 

 account of the difficulty in obtaining sufficient pigs to fill their require- 

 ments. However, the profitable prices realised by breeders have brought 

 more into the pig breeding business, and during the last few months 

 supplies have been more free. 



Cheese. — There has been a steady trade throughout the month of 

 December, but little change in prices. Holders of Canadian makes, 

 both here and in Canada, look for higher prices in the New Year, in 

 spite of the large make in New Zealand. This branch of the provision 

 trade has also been unprofitable to dealers, though there have not 

 been any serious losses. The producers have again made all the profit, 

 especially in Canada. The fluctuations in prices throughout the year 

 have been unusually small, and at the end of the year prices were about 

 the same as those current at the end of 1909. The estimated stocks of 

 Canadian cheese at the three principal distributing centres (London, 

 Liverpool, and Bristol) at the end of the year, were 404,000 boxes, 

 against 377,000 at the close of 1909, and 368,000 in 1908. 



Prices continue high in the United States of America, full cream 

 cheese making, on the New York market, equivalent to 755., and 

 skims, 605., landed in England. 



There has been a large home make of cheese, conditions throughout 

 the summer being favourable for a good flow of milk, but the wet 

 weather led to irregularities in quality, and in consequence prices have 

 shown a greater range than usual. 



Butter. — Though there has been a steady trade during the month no 

 great confidence has been shown by operators, and prices of Colonial and 

 Argentine are about 85. per cwt. down on the month. The arrivals for 

 December from Australia and New Zealand show a large increase over 

 December, 1909 (being nearly 1,500 tons), and large shipments are en 

 route, so that it is anticipated by some that we shall have a reasonable 

 range of prices throughout the winter. Stored stocks have been reduced. 

 Serious losses have been made on imported parcels this year, on account 

 of the manipulation of the market early in the spring, forcing prices 

 up to an abnormal level, which curtailed consumption for butter, and 

 increased demand for margarine. 



Prices for December, both in Canada and the United States, were 

 too high to admit of business with this country. In the U.S.A. fancy 

 butter is realising from 15. 4^. to is. $d. per lb. 



Eggs. — The demand has been good during December, especially 

 for new laid and best selections of pickled. Prices, which have ruled 

 high throughout the year, show little change on the month. Imports 

 from Canada have again been practically nil, on account of the high 

 prices paid for home requirements. 



