Strike affects meat sales

Press, 22 January 1979, Page 12

Strike affects meat sales

The national truck drivers' strike continued to disrupt the U.K. market last week, reports the New Zealand Meat Producers Board in its weekly market survey. Supplies of fresh meat have been sufficient to cope with demand, but the picketing of cold stores and docks has meant that little New Zealand lamb has been available.

Only a small quantity of New Zealand lamb was pitched on Smithfield and prices were not quoted. However, stocks have moved in regions outside London and these prices have firmed.

Prices quoted for New Zealand lamb ex depot (not Smithfield) were:—

Price Var’n P, P a lb a lb PL (new season* 56.0-57.0 -t-1.00 PL (Old season) 54.0-55.0 4-1.00 PM (new season) 56.0-57.0 4-1.50 PM (old season) 52.0-54.0 —0.25 PM (old season) 31.0-52.0 4-1.00 YL (old season) 49.0-53.0 n.o. YM (old season) 53.0-56.0 n.o. MANUFACTURING BEEF The U.S. market for imported beef eased last week after reaching record prices. Small quantities of N.Z. cow beef averaged SUSI24c a lb, c.i.f., compared with the pre vious week’s all time record average of 127 c. Domestic beef prices remain firm with excellent demand, while very cold midWest weather has reduced drastically deliveries of live cattle. MUTTON There has been some activity on the Japanese market in the past two weeks with the sale of some 2000 tonnes of carcase mutton sold at SUSS3-54c a lb, c and f Japan, As well, another 30.000 tonnes of new season’s mutton have been sold to the U.S.S.R., making a total of about 40,000 tonnes to the market this year.