SMITHFIELD MARKET

Press, 2 July 1979, Page 21

SMITHFIELD MARKET

Continuing warmer weather last week in England and Wales did not assist a generally dull carcase meat trade, reports the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board in its weekly market survey. Prices for all meats were slightly weaker at wholesale, with beef in particular experiencing consumer resistance as a result of the recent sharp increases in retail prices. New Zealand lamb prices also eased slightly on the previous week. This easing in prices, however, cannot be attributed to any sudden downturn in retail demand, but rather a reflection on pressure which occurred during the last four weeks on delivered ex-ship realisations. MANUFACTURING BEEF New Zealand beef prices in the United States declined

■ last week, mainly as a result I of the continuing truckers strike, as well as reduced I consumer demand. New Zea- I land cow-beef prices averI aged 118 c per lb c.i.f., down i . 4c on the previous week. At : present pork is in good sup- . ply and the gasoline shortage • in the North-Eastern States ■ has had a marked effect on ; ; hamburger consumption. MUTTON , I The mutton market in J Japan continued to be quiet , last week, with only a fewj 1 quotations for small parcels I, i of New Zealand and Aus-: tralian mutton being made. i Prices for New Zealand - lamb on Smithfield, with the i variation on the previous ■ week, were: Price Var'n p. p. per lb per lb I PL .. .. 51.0-51.5 —0.25 IPM . 50.0-51.0 —0.25