MEAT EXPORTS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29454, 4 March 1961, Page 14

MEAT EXPORTS

Rise In January Receipts (N Z. Press Associations WELLINGTON, March 2. Meat, export receipts during the first month of this year were nearly £lm above those for January, 1960, said the market information service of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board in its monthly survey issued tonight. The survey said that total receipts for January were £5.231,000 compared with £4,249.000 in 1960.

On the United Kingdom market New Zealand lamb prices began their seasonal fall earlier this year. By late February prices had steadied and there was a firming tendency. Although the New Zealand season opened with a large increase in the production of lamb for export it was expected that the rate of slaughter would show a sharp decline in later figures. A continuing strong demand for New Zealand meat in markets outside the United Kingdom was evident during the first four months of the present export season to February 4. Shipments of meat to destinations other than the United Kingdom were running in that period of 12J per cent, of exports. The expansion of sales later in the season should see this percentage doubled. Sales of Beef to the United States have been maintained. Demand for beef there has continued to increase. Domestic supplies have not yet reached their expected peak.

Demand continues to be satisfactory for New Zealand mutton which has become one of the country’s strongest export products. Figures of shipments of New Zealand meat from the beginning of the present season from October 1, 1960. to February 4 show increased shipments to all of the major markets when compared with figures for the corresponding period a year ago.