American Demand For Lamb Grows

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30803, 15 July 1965, Page 1

American Demand For Lamb Grows

(New Zealand Press Association/

WELLINGTON, July 14.

Valuable progress has been made in establishing an increased demand for New Zealand lamb in North America, in the view of Mr N. A. Thomson, chairman of the Meat Export Development Company (N.Z.), Ltd.

Mr Thomson said this on his return to Auckland today from a study of lamb marketing in Canada and the United States.

“The progress being made this year will prove of tremendous benefit to the New Zealand economy,” he said “We cannot be content to rely only on the one market in Britain for our future. “We have reviewed the results of the first test marketing project just completed in Buffalo. New York state,” said Mr Thomson, “and we have studied the promotion work in Canada which the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board has been conducting in conjunction with the Meat Export Development Company. The results have been really good, well ahead of expectations. “It is clear that housewives in Canada and the United States appreciate the quality erf our lamb, and that by the techniques of promotion which we are now introducing into the United States we can do very good business by improving prices while consumer requirements continue at the present level.” He said the question would now be the extent to which New Zealand wished to develop this market by making lambs available for it.

“Present marketing conditions and prospects are excellent for both domestic and New Zealand lamb,” he said “The current demand for all classes of meat in North America is strong.” Mr Thomson, who was accompanied by Mr P. D. Hewland, director of trade promotion for the Meat Producers’ Board, will report to the board and development company on plans for the future.