PRODUCE AND MARKET REPORTS FROM DAY TO DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 114, 17 May 1927, Page 11

PRODUCE AND MARKET REPORTS FROM DAY TO DAY

MEAT EXPORT TRADE

BEEF A VANISHING QUANTITY

"Evening Post," 17th May,

,• The New Zealand Meat Producers' Board, with unfailing regularity, furnishes statistical information relative to the meat 'export trade which is of value to the farmer, trader, and general public interested in. the economic development of the Dominion, The latest returns show that beef as an article of export is fast approaching the vanishing point, and yet in certain countries the carriage of cattle is absolut|ly indispcnsible in the profitable' raising of sheep, Whether sufficient cattle are in existence for this purpose it. is difficult to say, but they are not represented in the exports of beef from the Dominion. The • latest returns of the' Meat Producers' Board show that the total exports of beef for the current season reached but 22,478 quarters, all excepting 3484 for Egypt,' being sent to the United Kingdom; whereas the exports of beef for the corresponding portion of the season .Ist November to 30th April last year amounted to 203,342 quarters, or over nine times tho quantity,' moreover the beef went then into France, Belgium, and Italy, aa well as to the United Kinguom. It is highly improbable that the beet production of the Dominion in twelve months has dropped to the low level that the export figures would indicate, but it is equally improbable that the difference is to be accounted for by increased domestic consumption of beef. What has become of it? That a greatly expanded ocal market for beef is practicable the board recognised when it began its "eat more beef" campaign in New Zealand. it is to be feared,-however, that the movement was;not so successful all.through as was desired, because in many cases neither quality nor mice proved irresistible to toe competent housekeeper. The fact •™ ** are called'"robber" cows, and other animals which do not pay the dairy farmer to keep, eventually find their way to the butcher's shop is'not alwayi helpful m cultivating pu btje preference for beef above mutton-and lamb. The butcher is the best authorityon • this subject, however, knowing exactly what his trade requires m the matter of = joints and cuts and what.percentages ct mutton chine G * °Ver for ™ «>u ß ag<ma. But not only beef exports show a falling ™p \ quaut 'tlesj.^ere is likewise.shrink! age m exports of mutton for the present s« SQ R n' ExpOrts "<> far > total 853,980 carcasses; this time last year they had reached 1,101,099 carcasses, so that afe™ 1" Q falling Off te-«»-«4aSn,^Qf .07,119 carcasses, and included in this season are ventures of New Zealand mutton into the markets of New. and w a> hereas laßt season exported found no outlet but in the United Kingdom. Lamb, on the other hand is the ac> of the Dominion's meat SZ-tlU^- 2fil6m passes "have bT« 2M9<^f ., Bea6on as compared with 2,642,053 for the portion of the season of last year. It -will be seen that the figures show a satisfactory increase- m the volume of this valuable ''specialty" « the, e- xport trade of the Dominioh- further shipments have been made this season., to New Zealand and Halifax, N.S., and Jt is to-be hoped with satisfactorily remunerative results. Whether it is going to be a wise policy to concentrate so much on lamb is a matter for the woolgrower and buyer to discuss.. It is very satisfactory to notice a substantial increase, in the ertport of pork. So far 48,972 carcasses have been exDorted all to the United Kingdom? whS last season, at this time, 21,583. or half the quantity, had been shipped Pork raising- is to be regarded as ancillary to the dairying industry, and unless it is so it cannot hope to be firmly establish^. Exclusion of certain Continental supplies from the British market since the middle of last year to now must have helped to make reception of New Zealand f°* more welcome in the Home trade. This market is waiting for the New Zealand product, and all depends upon pries, quality, quantity, and economic cost of carriage and handling