Marketing System For Pig Meat Wanted For N.Z.

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28887, 6 May 1959, Page 17

Marketing System For Pig Meat Wanted For N.Z.

“It is alarming to know that the many fundamental requirements of efficient marketing are nobody’s business in pig meat marketing in New Zealand, and it is a matter that the national body should investigate without delay. For too long the industry has been in the trough; it is now time it looked over the fence,” said Mr W. A. Barnett, chairman of the South Island District Pig Council, presenting his report to the annual meeting in Christchurch. “It is apparent that a more efficient system of distributing pig meats over the markets must be found. and undoubtedly the greatest problem confronting the pig industry of New Zealand is the quite inadequate marketing system under which pigs are handled,’* said Mr Barnett. “Many pig producers consider

: the time is at hand to examine • the steps they could be taking ; to ensure that the industry is ; introduced to rationalised and I modern marketing methods that [ will hot only give a measure t of price stability, but also ensure ’ for them a fair share of the ' market value of their products.” Production Increase 1 There had been a sharp In- • crease in national production ’ compared with last year, and for the year ended March 31, 1958, it was likely that killings would ■ be increased by at least 70,000. > said Mr Barnett. Although there were no separate production figures available ’ for the South Island, he was con- ; fident that there was a substan- : tial increase, he said. Official returns for the year ended January 31, 1958, had only just been made available, and showed an

increase in pig population of 16 per cent. Figures for consumption of pig meat showed very little improvement, said .Mr Barnett. The importance of maintaining the local market uptake of pig meats — bacon, ham, pork, and the other pig meat products—at present levels could not be emphasised too often.