More Mutton For Japan If Price Is ‘Reasonable’

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 7

More Mutton For Japan If Price Is ‘Reasonable’

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 27. The market for New Zealand ewe mutton in Japan would increase by 5000 to 10,000 tons annually if the price remained reasonable, a director of the Japan Meat Importers Association, Mr H. Nakayama, said today. A "reasonable price,’’ he said, was lOd to Hid a lb c.i.f. Japan. At present the price is Is. With three other Japanese importers, Mr Nakayama is making a market survey in New Zealand and Australia and today he and his colleagues discussed the market with representatives of > the Meat Board.

Mr Nakayama said Japan at present was importing 17.000 tons of ewe mutton annually from New Zealand, but this tonnage could be trebled, because Japanese Government statistics showed that the annual consumption of meat was increasing by 30 per cent. However, the price of ewe mutton had to remain reasonable, said Mr Nakayama, -otherwise the consumer would seek cheaper food. At present ewe mutton had an advantage in price over other meats and the consumer was well aware of this fact.

For example, a kilo of mutton retailed at from 30-35 yen while the cheapest pork was 40-45 yen a kilo, and the

cheapest beef 45 yen a kilo. The cheapest fish was 10 yen a kilo. Mr Nakayama said that any increase in ewe mutton price would affect the market which had been established in Japan. For that reason Japanese importers would be prepared to buy up to a third of their ewe mutton imports on long-term contracts. While up to 98 per cent, of ewe mutton was processed in Japan, retail sales were increasing as a result of an extensive advertising campaign aimed at making New Zealand mutton more popular, he said. The continuation of the advertising programme would undoubtedly help develop the market. The condition of mutton on arrival in Japan was “pretty good” and the colour was right. There was still some objection to the smell of mutton, but this, too, was being overcome, he said.