Overseas meat markets

Press, 11 July 1983, Page 14

Overseas meat markets

A combination of warm weather coupled with the onset of the annual summer holidays created poor demand for all meats at both wholesale and retail levels in the United Kingdom last week, reports the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board in its weekly market survey.

Increased availability of domestic supplies resulted in a sharp reduction in livestock prices, and with domestic lamb priced more competitive, sales of New Zealand lamb declined. On the Smithfield market PL grade was quoted at 58.359.3 p per lb, and PM grade at 57.3-58.3 p per lb. Stronger inquiries for imported manufacturing beef in the United States reversed its recent downward trend in price. New Zealand boneless cow beef was up one cent to average 106 US cents per lb, c.i.f.,

and bull beef was up half a cent, averaging 114.5 US cents per lb, c.i.f. Lower-priced Australian offerings continue to affect off-take of New Zealand mutton in Japan. Australian carcases of MM gradeequivalent were traded last week at 41-42 US cents per lb, c and f, well below the Meat Board’s current list prices. Australian offers of boneless mutton have also increased at lower price levels.