First Decline In Export Lamb Price

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30325, 28 December 1963, Page 10

First Decline In Export Lamb Price

A halfpenny-a-pound drop in the price for all weights and grades of woolly lambs for export will come into operation on Monday. It is the first variation in the schedule since the export killing season opened on October

A meat industry spokesman said in Christchurch last evening that the adjustment was a reflection of assessments of market prospects in March and April, when lambs now being slaughtered would reach the United Kingdom. About that time, with heavy arrivals of meat from New Zealand, there is almost always a glut in the United Kingdom. An easier trend in wool prices has also been a factor that has had to be taken into account in fixing the schedule.

Prime quality lambs are still, however, Ijd to 3d a pound above rates ruling at this time last year, and second quality lambs are 2d a pound higher. New season’s lamb has been meeting a steady market in the United Kingdom this month.

Operators have also announced the opening schedule for shorn lambs. In line with the higher value of wool this season, the basic price for shorn lambs with a Jib wool pull is 31d a pound less than the corresponding price for woolly lambs compared with a margin of 2Jd when the first schedule for shorn lambs was issued last season.

Much larger adjustments will also be made this year for wool over and under the basic pull. For each l-81b under the basic pull on this occasion there will be a deduction of 4|d compared with 3d a year ago; for each l-81b between 5-81 b and 11b, the addition will be 5d compared with 3d; and for each l-81b between 11b and 21b the added payment will be 6d compared with 3Jd. Schedules which will come into operation on Monday are:

Woolly Lambs Prime— Var’n. d per lb d per lb 20 to 281b . 20 —i 29 to 361b . 18J —J 37 to 421b . 16J —i 43 to 501b . 15 —i 51 to 561b . 13 —i Second Quality: 20 to 281b . 19 —1 29 to 361b . 171 —J Over 361b . 155 —4 Shorn Lambs (41b iVool) Prime: d. per lb. 20 to 281b .. 16J 29 to 361b .. 152 37 to 421b .. 131 43 to 501b .. 112 51 to 561b .. 92 Second Quality: 20 to 281b .. 152 29 to 361b .. 144 Over 361b .. 121 Wool Adjustments: under Jib pull minus 4|d each l/81b; 5/81b to lib plus 5d each l/81b; and 11b to 21b plus 6d each l/81b.