Iran lamb trade likely to boom, says agent

Press, 1 November 1979, Page 1

Iran lamb trade likely to boom, says agent

PA Wellington The huge meat deal negotiated with Iran was likely to become even bigger in the future, said the marketing manager of Borthwick and Sons (Australasia), Ltd, (Mr B. Freeman) yesterday. The Iranians would ave accepted more lamb from New Zealand but the New Zealand negotiators had limited supplies to 45,000 tonnes, he told a news conference called to explain Borthwick’s role in the deal with Iran. Borthwick’s has been appointed agent for the Meat Marketing Corporation.

It will co-ordinate the supply of stock and carcases and ensure that shipping schedules are met and meat is delivered on time. Mr Freeman said the Iranians would have been happy to negotiate up to 100.000 tonnes of lamb but it had been decided to settle on 45,000 tonnes because New Zealand meat exporters had to consider other markets. New negotiations with Iran were scheduled to begin next September. Under the terms of the existing arrangement New Zealand would supply lamb to Iran during the

next four years, earning about $lOO million a year. Muslim slaughtermen would arrive at Auckland from Iran on Sunday and would fly to Wellington to attend a week’s induction course run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the end of the week they would be sent to freezing works throughout New Zealand that would be involved in Muslim killing. The works which had indicated that they could supply the Iranian market were Moerewa, Westfield, Patea, Tomoana, Whakatu, Ocean Beach, Islington, Pukeuri, Balcutha, Short-

land, Fairton, Alliance, C.F.M., and Waitara. Muslim killing should begin about November 11. Twelve ships had been chartered to send (he meat to Iran, with the first shipment due to arrive there about Christmas. Because of supply difficulties the Iranians had agreed to the first shipment’s being reduced by 1000 tonnes. An agent had been appointed in Iran to ensure that deliveries went smoothly but Borthwicks would probably send a representative there to oversee the first delivery.