RECORD MEAT PRODUCTION

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27928, 27 March 1956, Page 17

RECORD MEAT PRODUCTION

FIGURES FOR FIVE MONTHS SOUTH ISLAND KILLINGS HIGHER New Zealand export meat production in the five months of the present season to March 3 was 3.82 per cent, or 861 j tons greater than that of the same period last season to March 5 which was itself a record one. <=ays a statement issued by the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board. The severe drought and shortage of feed in major South Island areas was a principal cause cf the increase in killings. The South Island production of lamb for export showed an increase of 750.000 carcases Or 18.6 per cent, over the figures for the same period last year. The drought has caused a distortion of the pattern of production in southern areas. In consequence the rate of killing in the remaining months of the season is likely to taper off earlier than it would otherwise have done. North Island lamb production has shown a small decrease from that of last year. The Dominion total of lamb killings was 9,788,104, an increase of 665,235 or 7.29 per cent. Because cf a sharp reduction in weights, averaging I.Bllb in the South Island and 0.831 b over-all, the lamb output in weight showed an increase of only 4.41 per cent. Production of wether mutton was 22.88 per cent, dnwn in weight from the very high 1954-55 figure. Ewe mutton, on the other hand, showed some increase. Production of beef and veal increased about 3.77 per cent, in weight. The figures reflect the increasing emphasis on chilled beef at the expense of frozen. The output of baconer sides continues to show a heavy increase over that of last year. Shipments of New Zealand meat to overseas destinations amounted to 107.981 tons at March 3. In addition 19.560 tons had been loaded into vessels not yet departed at that date, making a total of 127.541 tons. Of the shipments, 101,508 tons went to United Kingdom ports and 6473 tons or 6 per cent, was scheduled for discharge at ports elsewhere.

Stocks of meat in store in New Zealand at March 3 were 107.049 tons. Last year stocks in store at February 26* (the comparable fortnightly statistical period) were 101.487 tons. Freezing companies are still holding 330 tons of last season’s meat in store. Shipments for the 1954-55 productori year cannot be completed until this meat has been disposed of by the works.