N.Z. TRADE WITH ITALY

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28747, 19 November 1958, Page 10

N.Z. TRADE WITH ITALY

Expansion Prospects Surveyed

Worth-while trade contracts with Government officials and business organisations in Italy were made during a recent visit there by Mr G. R. J. Hope, the New Zealand Senior Trade Commissioner in London, reports the November issue of “Export News.’’ 4

Italy is a valuable customer for New Zealand, the journal savs. In 1957, she imported from New Zealand £3.774.000 worth of wool. £959,000 worth of hides and skins, and £686.000 worth of frozen meat. She also took £319.000 worth of butter, and £275.000 worth of casein.

"Mr Hope was impressed with the prospects of the Italian market, and is convinced • that further exploration would be rewarding for New Zealand,” the journal. says.

Reporting Mr Hope’s comments, the “Export News” says: ““There appears to be little demand for lamb, particularly in Northern Italy. Lamb’, however, was noticed on the menus of two restaurants visited. The Association of Shepherds and the Ministry of Agriculture are trying to develop a demand for lamb. Experiments are in progress to improve flocks and a few animals have been obtained from the United Kingdom for this purpose. "Butter will soon be imported through the agricultural consortium (which is buying a number of items such as wheat). New Zealand butter : s known as an excellent product and is considered to be very suitable for mixing with the higher priced but inferior Italian butter.

"There is a possibility that a market could be developed for stud cattle and sheep. "Like many other Mediterranean countries Italy imports considerable quantities of timber and timber products, and it may be worth while investigating market possibilities further.’’