MEAT STOCKS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 173, 24 July 1941, Page 12

MEAT STOCKS

SEASON'S CARRY-OVER

OVER 100,000 TONS NET

(0.C.) WELLINGTON, this day. The statement that there would be a net carry-over of 102,000 tons of exportable meat into the 1941-42 season was made by the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, last night. The Minister said actual carry-over would be 108,000 tons, but this included 6000 tons of meat already earmarked for canning. In a review of events Mr. Barclay said production had begun this year with a carry-over in store of 40,000 tons of mea't and for the full period of the season, ending on September 30, 1941, a further 340,000 tons would ultimately be purchased by the Government. By economies, such as boning, trimming and canning, this gross quantity of 340,000 tons would be reduced to a net exportable surplus of 316.000 tons, making a total of 356,000 tons available for export. The United Kingdom Government had agreed to purchase 248,000 tons and it was expected that this quantity would be lifted by September 30. Normal Exportable Kill On estimates compiled by the Marketing Department and based on the experience of past seasons, it was assessed that the normal exportable kill during the 1941-42 season would be approximately 335,000 tons, Mr. Barclay continued. This was nearly the same as the quantity available during the present season, and again this quantity could be reducel by canning, boning and trimming to a net figure of 250,000 tons. "For obvious reasons it would be unwise to make a statement about the actual quantity of shipping we estimate will be available during the coming season, but the estimate that has been taken is a conservative one on the evidence available, and on this basis the total quantity of export meat in store at the peak of the season next year will not be in excess of 210,000 tons. Reasonable Safety Margin "We will have available at the commencement of this season a total storage capacity, excluding freezers, of 253,000 tons, leaving a reasonable safety margin of at least 40,000 tons to meet an emergency. "It appears that some sections of the meat producers are expressing considerable apprehension about the general export and storage position during the coming year, out on the evidence which I have now available it is clear that there is no real cause for alarm," the Minister said. "Unless some entirely unforseen contingency arises, the position as a whole is safe for at least the next 18 months."