PORK AND BACON

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 124, 19 February 1938, Page 8 (Supplement)

PORK AND BACON

Lower Production Forecast For almost a year I have forecast a lowering in our export of pig meats, forecast that this would ensue, despite the strong urge by officials and Press to greater production anil despite the encouragement of good prices. The opinion was given in sorrow, for I look upon the pig industry as one possessing wonderful potentialities. It was based upon the shortage of dairy farm labour. Killing returns now show the prediction as correct.

This season, to January 31, pig killings show an actual increase in numbers of 2000 head, having risen from 268,000 last season’s even period to 270,000 this. The rise is due to pork numbers being up by 8000; but baconers are down by 6000 head. Now an average baconer equals 1} porkers and so those 6000 equal 10,500 porkers. Therefore the - net result is equivalent to a decrease of 2500 to that date, a decrease that must be expected to grow as the season goes on, for this autumn is not as last. Prices.

The Home market has been very steady these three months past. Pork, 60/80's, has ranged from 7|d. to 7 5-Bd., and on February 10 was back to 7£d. a lb. Bacon ranged from 6Jd, to 6 7-Bd., and was on February 10 6|d. a lb. The local schedule rates have also been steady at a highly remunerative price. The season got under way at 7d. for 60/80 pork and 6 3-Bd. a lb. for baconers.

Fork is now back to 6d., a drop of jd. on January. Bacon was then 6d., and now the first-grade premium gives a price of 6 3-Bd. a lb. The market should remain firm at present levels. Supplies are now decreasing, especially of baconers, though the usual run of lightweight pork will be coming forward. Killings for export for the past two months were:— December: 38,000 porkers and 32,000 baconers. January: 55,000 porkers and 39,000 baconers.