THE EXPORT EGG MARKET.

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 28, 1 August 1930, Page 5

THE EXPORT EGG MARKET.

CAN NEW ZEALAND COMPETE? Those with vision of a profitable export trade in eggs are woefully deceived if led to believe that duty free wheat is the key to success. An absolute negative to this suggestion is contained in "A Survey "of the [Poultry Industry in, New 'Zealand," issued" by the Farm Economic Section of the New Zealand Department of Agriculture. Tho "Survey" states: "It would not bo to the advantage of poultry farmers to be forced to rely on outside sources for tho total food' supply. Although a saving might be effected on wheat, the supply of bran and pollard (both aie duty free) would be difficult to maintain. Any action which is calculated to upset the,supply of these by-pro-ductors would seriously affect tho poultry industry." After reviewing the trend of Australian prices for bran and pollard over six years, the report continues: "It will be seen that bran and pollard prices, f.o.b. Australian ports, range from 10s to 35s per ton lower than Christchurch quotations. When freight, wharfage, exchange, marine -insuraneo, and primage (since repealed) arc added, Australian offal cannot be landed at a cost appreciably lower than South Island supplies, unless bought iv bulk at the right time. Supplies are not always available, and bran and pollard do not keep well for protracted periods." In order to a-ssure the poultry industry supplies of bran and pollard it is necessary, therefore, that wheat shall continue to be grown in New Zealand. Tho facts regarding the cost of egg production in relation to the price of. wheat are also illuminating. Mr. E. J. Faweett, M.A., Farm Economist of the Department of Agriculture, gave the following evidence before the Wheat Industry Committee which was appointed last year by the Government. Mr. Faweett, in the course of a comprehensive survey of the poultry industry, mentioned that a reduction of Is per bushel in tho price of wheat would reduce tho cost of eggs by less than ljd per dozen. This was in the case of the poultry specialist only who was compelled to purchase all food requirements. In cases where fowls ran in tho open and wore fed on scraps the reduction would be less. Kevcrting to the "Survey of the Poultry Industry in New Zealand," tho average food costs per dozen eggs produced are given as follows: —12.79 d for flocks of under 200, up to 14.35 d for flocks of over 2000. Tho approximate freight on eggs to London is 3Ad per dozen. Wastage and other charges bring the cost to over 6d per dozen. Last year's average London price realised was from Is 3d to Is 4d. Tho reason for tho poultry industry asking for a Government subsidy for their export trade is therefore apparent. The competition to bo faced is most formidable. Denmark, for .instance, sells eggs at from lOd dozen in spring up to,ls 81d in winter. The average price, according to this year's February issue of the Danish Foreign Office Journal, was Is 2.14 d for 1928 and Is 2.370 d for 1929. Quite obviously the outlook for our egg export trade docs in nowise warrant the withdrawal of tho protection vital to the very necessary existence of our wheat industry. (Published by Arrangement.)