Meat trade poor

Press, 13 July 1985, Page 24

Meat trade poor

PA Wellington Hot summer weather with temperatures in the high 20s has done nothing to stimulate consumer demand for meat in Britain this week. A poor trade is reported from both wholesale and retail sectors, according to the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board weekly market report. Domestic beef prices have remained constant, while home-killed lamb prices at

wholesale level have declined over the week. The marketing of domestic lambs over the next few weeks is forecast to be heavy and sales volumes for New Zealand lamb are only expected to hold steady at current levels. New Zealand lamb volumes are expected to lift over the October-December period as British farmers hold their stock over until January when the price subsidy reaches its peak. On the Smithfield market this week New Zealand PL grade lambs were quoted at 64.5 to 66P a lb ($NZ3.984.07 a kg). The United States-imported manufacturing beef market was active this week following the long July 4 holiday weekend, with both spot and forward supplies moving as supermarkets and other endusers re-stocked. Although domestic beef has increased in price and an overall demand exists, speculation on how much further this increase will continue has been cautious. This week the average bull beef price is SUSI a lb c.i.f. ($NZ4.69 a kg), up SUSO.OIS. The average cow beef price stands at JUSO.B9 a lb c.i.f. (SNZ4.I7 a kg), up SUSO.O3.