MEAT IMPORTS BY BRITAIN

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27734, 11 August 1955, Page 6

MEAT IMPORTS BY BRITAIN

EFFECTS OF DOCK STRIKE N.Z. SUPPLY REDUCED /From Our London Correspondent) LONDON, July 29. The recent dock strike severely affected meat imports to Britain and figures just issued for June show a reduction of 12,000 tons on the supplies received during June of last year. New Zealand's total was reduced by 5000 tons. Beef imports were down by 6000 tons and mutton and lamb by more than 5000 tons. New Zealand sent 22,800 tons of these main commodities against 28,000 tons last year. But the aggregate imports for the first six months of the year was increased by about 5 per cent, on the same period in 1954. Argentina (62,000 tons) sent the most beef with Australia (44,000) next and New Zealand (27,500) third. This New Zealand figure is 7500 tons greater than for 1054. Although total beef imports were increased by only 8000 tons, it is significant that chilled beef imports improved by 25,000 tons, showing that frozen beef supplies are dropping heavily. It will be some time, however, before the pre-war ratio of chilled ana frozen beef imports return. Mutton imports were reduced, but lamb supplies increased by 155,600 tons. New Zealand's total contribution of 125,600 tons was 6000 tons less than last year, but increased supplies were sent by both Australia and the 1 Argentine. The following table gives the comparative tonnages as at the end of June, of the totals received from the main exporting countries: —

As yet there are no official figures for British meat production in the first half of this year, but the Commonwealth Economic Committee estimates that domestic output of carcase meat and offal was 5 per cent, greater than in the first half of 1954. Increase in Demand A. J. Mills and Company report a remarkable increase in meat consumption in Britain since derationing last July. The provisional figures for 1954 show a considerable increase on the Sus year and approach, in some ces, the pre-war level. The following table of lbs consumed per caput (1954 provisional) shows the rise:—

With imported canned meats and bacon and ham figures added, the 1954 total was 103.81 b compared with 93.41 b in 1953, 84.61 b in 1952 and 110.1 lb in pre-war years.

Mutton & Beef Lamb Pork tons tons tons Australia 44,163 28,265 - New Zealand 27,559 125,602 2,375 Argentina 62,163 26,392 681 Irish Republic 4,500 380 7,490

Pre-war 1952 1953 1954 Beef (bone in) 53.2 31.0 36.5 42.2 Beef (bone out) 1.7 1.4 0.3 0.9 Mutton & Lamb 25.2 21.4 24.2 23.1 Pork .. 10.6 7.9 12.1 16.9 Offal .. 7.4 6.8 6.5 7.6