Venison Prices “Not As High As Claimed”

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32032, 5 July 1969, Page 24

Venison Prices “Not As High As Claimed”

To say that New Zealand exporters of venison were receiving prices up to $2.50 per lb was “sheer uninformed nonsense,” the manager of Allied Packers, Ltd (Mr I. M. Murray), said in reply to one of two correspondents to “The Press” who criticised prices paid by local game houses. Mr M, J. Thompson wrote: “In a recent statement the manager of Aotearoa Wild Game Supplies Company (Mr A. G. Jennings) claimed that high prices paid to the shooter (up to 37c a pound) for venison amount to a price i. ar. The manager of Consolidated Traders (Mr T. R. Giles), however, considers the high prices are due to the demand for game meats in Western Europe; the high prices are passed on to the shooter. I would like to know whether the manager of Allied Packers, Ltd, considers the rise of 2c a pound, given recently by his firm, is appropriate. Perhaps the statement of Mr Jennings is correct regarding the price war. Or is the export market as good as Mt Giles claims it is? If Mr Giles is right, is the local firm pocketing the huge profits instead of passing some of it to the shooters? Some competition locally might benefit the hunter." Mr R. Bushby wrote: “North Island hunters are being paid a realistic price for venison. This is good news for shooters. Would the Game Packers As, sociation advise if South Island game houses will be allowed to increase the payout price from 14 cents per lb? This price is set by the association and is contrary to

the Trade Practices Act Furthermore, since devaluation, no financial gain was passed on to the hunter. Lucrative profits are being made by the exporters, prices ranging up to $2.50 per lb for choice cuts. Mr Maddren’s reply will be of interest to all, and, failing this, a formal complaint to the Trade Practices Tribunal might have the desired effect of derigging pay-out prices.” The game industry was susceptible to unsubstantiated rumour being taken as fact because trading took place from a distance of at least 13.000 miles and day-by-day information on market conditions was not readily available to the man in the street, said Mr Murray. Undoubtedly there was some controversy between the two companies in the North Island, but in his opinion the prices reported to be paid were unrealistic but in any case they were not substantiated.

"Sales of venison are concentrated almost entirely to one area of Europe and market prices are governed by much larger suppliers from Scotland, Europe and Eastern Bloc countries and are particularly vulnerable to both price squeezes and price increases—usually the former,” said Mr Murray. "There have been price increases overseas during the last six months owing to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease which temporarily closed certain sources of supply. These sources of supply are now available to the Europeans and we expect stabilisation to previous price levels during the next few months. The recent price increase overseas occurred very suddenly at a time when New Zealand exporters were still bound to contracts taken as far back as February, 1968. In the case of my company, we have only just completed execution of these old concontracts.

“The overseas price increases have, therefore, been largely academic as far as we were concerned. However, we will stand to benefit for at least a few months from imcreased overseas prices and as a result increased our buying price by 75 per cent some little while ago,” said Mr Murray.

Mr Murray said that if Mr Bushby could obtain prices anywhere near $2.50 per lb or even one-half of the amount, bis company would be happy to employ Mr Bushby on a substantial retainer.

CLUB GOLF . CHRISTCHURCH LADIES I . Stableford bogey: Miss K, Rutberford, 29 points; Mrs K. H. 3. HeadUen, 24; Mrs G. Guy. 18. GREENDALE LADIES’ L.G.U. —First qualifying round. Silver: Mrs C. Ridgen, 85. 13—72; Mrs D. Gilmour, 89, 14—75; Mrs B. Clinton, 83, 7 —76. Bronze A; Mrs C. Verdellen. 91, 23—68; Mrs D. Mulholland, 94, 21—73: Miss B. Jenkins. 98, 25—73. Bronze B: Mrs R. Campbell, 105, 31—74; Mrs I. Young. 109, 35—74. Bronze C: Mrs R. Robinson, 121. 8—85; Mrs M. Walker, 131, 36—95.