EGGS FOR EXPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 August 1925, Page 4

EGGS FOR EXPORT.

WHAT OFFERS? The position in regard to the export of eggs is now engaging attention, and f a number of poultrymen were addressed last evening by Mr. E. M. Masefield, who stated that an offer had been made by the agents of a London firm to purchase outright all the available egga from this | district at 1/8 per dozen. He estimated the cost of crates and sections, rent, and labour for grading, and incidental expenses would amount to about 5d per dozen, leaving the producer 1/3 to 1/3* a dozen net. Hβ agreed that a higher •price could be obtained on the local market during the flush season, which is now cloee at hand, but only by sending pome of the excess supplies of eggs to outside markets could producers keep the spring eggs at a remunerative price. He had learned rfom the New Zealand Poultry Association, in whose hands the Government left the arrangements for shipping epace and graders' location in each centre, that Wellington and Dunedin had been allotted space for GOO crates each, and Auckland 300 cratee. Accommodation for the Government grader had not yet been arranged, but no difficulty should bo experienced in doing so. If desired, the eggs could be Bent on open consignment. No resolution was carried, but the meeting has had the effect of definitely focusing attention on the necessity of local producers coming to an early decision. Amongst those present laat night- was the representative of a Southern egg mngnate, who never talks eggs for export in terms of less than millions, but he made no offer and took no part in the discussion. The needs of the local market must obviously come first. At present producers are getting 1/7 per dozen, but last year ..in the flush of the season the wholesale price was as low as 1/2. This, however, was only for a brief period. Owing to the depletion of poultry flocks ac the result of the high price of food during the winter months, there does not seem so much danger of a glut this year. Moreover, the figure mentioned at last_ night's meeting is apparently not the highest that is available. The representative of a large poultry organin > "Presenting 400 suppliers, told a Star 'representative this morning that he had had an offe* .of 1/9 f.ob for export, tut in his view the producer would be well advised to trust to the local market unless he could obtain an offer of at least 1/10. So with the BUp . pliers of ccrs, as with suppliers of of 'mS d p2£P rt is now a *****