798 



The Provision Trade in November, [dec, 191 i 



very small ; in fact, some cuts of American were practically unsaleable, 

 so causing an accumulation of stock, this tending still further to keep 

 prices down, probably until the end of the year. 



The English curers still report that they are able to obtain all 

 the pigs they want, and as breeders continue to be anxious to reduce 

 their holdings, the view is generally expressed that we shall see much 

 higher prices around April next, when in most pig-rearing countries the 

 effect of killing off the young stock will be seriously felt. 



Cheese. — The demand thioughout the month was not large, and 

 prices showed little change, although perhaps on the whole they were 

 a little firmer. Best Canadians made 69s. to 715. Advices from 

 Canada confirmed the shortage in the make in that country, and cables 

 demanded from 685. to 70s. for best " fall-makes," but there was not 

 much business transacted, importers being afraid to operate at such 

 prices, with each of the steamers from New Zealand bringing moderate 

 shipments from that country. The quality of this latter cheese is 

 reported to be very satisfactory for so early in the season, and prices 

 ranged from 68s. to 6gs. 



The present high prices of Canadian and New Zealand — in the 

 case of the former say 15s., and the latter 12s. per cwt. over those 

 current at the same time last year — is bound to curtail the consump- 

 tion of cheese during the winter, but it is maintained by those best 

 able to judge that with the big shortage in the home make, even with 

 the decreased consumption, all the cheese will be wanted before the 

 new season opens. 



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

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

 was 314,000 cheese, against 428,000 at the same time last year, and 

 419,000 two years ago. 



English cheese was in fair demand at advanced prices, but the 

 extremely high prices prevented any freedom in business. On account 

 of the great shortage of stocks, holders were independent sellers, even 

 at the abnormal prices current. 



Butter. — The reduction in prices reported during the previous month 

 did not continue, and with the stored stocks of the merchants much 

 decreased, as well as a better consumptive demand, prices again 

 advanced several shillings. The arrivals from Australia and New 

 Zealand were more free by the end of the month, but found ready 

 buyers at full prices, especially the best grades. Although the Aus- 

 tralian season was backward, the shipments to date are about equal 

 to those for the same period of last year. Arrivals from Denmark 

 were below average, but it is expected that they will soon increase. 



Canada has now practically stopped shipping, and there is very 

 little coming from America, as the prices in both countries are out 

 of competition with those ruling here for Australian and New Zealand. 

 In America equal to 143s. c.i.f. is being made freely for creameries. 



Eggs. — Eggs retained their high range of prices, which curtailed 

 the consumption. English were again very scarce. 



