BUTCHERS' RELIEF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 292, 10 December 1936, Page 14

BUTCHERS' RELIEF.

BEEF PRICES FALL.

■END OF ACUTE SHORTAGE,

EXPORT OUTLOOK PROMISING

From early in September till tlie end of November fat stock prices on the Westfield market have held the highest levels recorded since 10;i0. Beef lias been up to 30/ per 1001b, or £17 10/ a head for prime steers, and fat sheep have ranged up to £2 2/ during the period. With costs rising in other directions higher rents, wages and taxes — butchers complain that they have been jin serious straits. They were forced to raise retail rates by a penny a pound, and more in some cases, and even then the increased costs were not covered. Apart from higher wage and other costs, they Jiad to pay a third more for their ■beef on the hoof at the market, and mutton was up in proportion. Under these conditions, say the butchers, the trade did not pay. Several small men were forced out of business, and others complain that they were running at a loss. The high prices were caused by a shortage of fat stock, partly seasonal and partly due to the activity of exporters. Chilled beef has absorbed the best of the country's fat steers and heifers. Many farmers, too, sold calves as "bobbies" which they would have raised for beef in former years before the bobby calf trade grew to its present proportions. These were only minor causes, however, and the seasonal conditions were at the root of the trouble. With spring growth coming on and the stock lean after the winter, most farmers held them for fattening, putting fewer on the market. In some cases graziers with superabundant feed competed with butchers at the sales.

Yesterday's Lower Prices. Long-awaited relief for butchers came yesterday when beef prices at AVestfield fell to 32/ per 1001b. The previous week there was gome easing, and this week's drop showed that the end of the shortage was at least in sight. Abundance of feed and mild weather have luought on beef cattle all over the provinces, especially in the Waikato. Droves have been brought in from the East Coast and have put 011 condition rapidly. Many aro now prime and ready for killing, or approaching that stage. As a result more and more fat cattle have been coming into tlio Westfield sales. Though butchers were pleased with yesterday's fall in prices, they consider them to be still too high. They can now meet costs and keep the wolf from the door, but a further decline is wanted, they say, to put the trade on a reasonably profitable footing. As summer comes on they expect prices to fall as desired, but the activity of the exporter will prevent their going down far.