SMITHFIELD MARKET

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34120, 5 April 1976, Page 20

SMITHFIELD MARKET

New Zealand lamb priceson Smithfield last week were| firm and trading was steady: — with supplies adequate toi meet buyer requirements, reports the London office of j the New Zealand Meat Producers Board. At the moment, the retail trade is adjusting itself to the rises i in wholesale prices which | have occurred over the last | month. Quotations for New Zea-1 land lamb were; — Price Var’n P P I per lb per lb PL .. .. 35.5-36.0 n.c. PM .. .. 31.5-32.5 n.c. 1 PH .. .. 29.5-30.5 +0.25 i YL . 35.0-36.0 -0.25 YM . 33.0-34.0 n.c. i (nominal) Offerings of New Zealand: lamb cuts in cartons cleared i at the following rates:— Legs .. 49.0-50.0 n.c. i Long loins .. 36.0-37.5 n.c. Short fores . 25.5-26.5 n.c. I Last week prices in the United States for all types j of beef have risen, reports i the board’s New York office/ Major drops in retail prices and good restaurant demand are increasing sales of table cuts. The resultant improved demand for prime cattle has ;

helped to move prices up- | ward. Lean processing beef continues to meet good interest and cow carcases and domestic boneless beef strengthening in price: with most of the trade confident j that future demand will be [at least as good, prices for I imported beef also rose. New Zealand cow beef being sold to traders for delivery in late May fetched 77c per lb, c.i.f., by the end of the week, with bull meat selling at 78/79c per lb, c.i.f. I Currently, a few parcels 'of carcase Australian mutton have been purchased at around 31 to 31.5 United [States cents per lb, c and f [Japan, for June, July and ' August shipment, reports the -board’s Tokyo office. : Small quantities of Australian boneless mutton were traded this week at 52 to 57 [United States cents per lb, I according to brand. Current New Zealand carcase offers remain at 36.5 [United States cents per lb for early shipment, but without much interest being ‘shown at this stage.