SMITHFIELD MARKET

Press, 14 August 1978, Page 14

SMITHFIELD MARKET

The meat trade in England and Wales last week continued quietly, as is usual at this time of year, but the throughput of New Zealand lamb continued at the steady levels of recent weeks. However, prices eased fractionally on Smithfield, reports the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board in its weekly market survey. Prime grades, particularly PM’s, were in short supply, but YL’s were plentiful. Although the French market was again closed, homekilled lamb prices increased by about 5p mainly because of demand from other continental markets. This has assisted the New Zealand lamb trade. Prices for New Zealand lamb sold on Smithfield last week were: Price Var’n P P per lb per lb P.L. .. „ 53.5-54.5 —0.25 P.M. .. .. 53.5-55.0 —0.25 P.H. .. .. 53.0-53.5 —0.75 Y.L. .. ~. 51.0-52.0 n.c. Prices for nominal quantities of New Zealand lamb cuts in cartons were: Legs .. 83.5-84.0 +2.75 Long loins .. 60.0-64.0 +4.00 Short fores .. 38.0-40.0 —l.OO MANUFACTURING BEEF Spot supplies of imported beef were in steady demand

last week from United States hamburger manufacturers, and the a verage price for New Zealand cow beef was 85.5 U.S. cents per lb, c.i.f. compared with 84c the previous week.

Domestic boneless beef is still in plentiful supply, but domestic cattle slaughter is now starting to decline. Imported beef is expected to be in reasonably steady demand for the rest of the year. MUTTON During the past week more than 500 tonnes of New Zealand carcase mutton has been sold to Japanese buyers at up to 49.5 U.S. cents per lb, c. and f. Japan. Currently, New Zealand mutton is being quoted at about 50c for Ocotober onward shipment