RAPID GROWTH

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 53, 31 August 1939, Page 10

RAPID GROWTH

CHILLED BEEF TRADE

NEW ZEALAND EXPORTS

Addressing the annual meeting of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board today, the chairman, Mr. T. A. Duncan, referred to the rapid development of the New Zealand's chilled beef industry, which only commenced in the 1933-34 season. He quoted the following shipments to the United Kingdom, etc., to show the expansion that has taken place:— Season. Qrs. 1933-34 19,576 1934-35 64,514 1935-36 144,169 1936-37 201,105 1937-38 „ 237,186 1938-39 (to August 15) 238,548 "It is anticipated that the total shipments for this season will reach the figure of 260,000 quarters/ said Mr. Duncan. "The f.o.b. value of chilled, beef exported from New Zealand, ac-' cording to the official statistics, for the twelve months ended March 31, 1939, was £708,069." Mr. Duncan impressed on farmers the importance of continued efforts being made to improve still further the quality of the chilled cattle they are breeding, and said that it should be remembered that the trade, in London required a steady flow of supplies, and not abnormal quantities in one short period. . Furthermore, chilled beef always maintained a more regular price durhig the cooler months in England. Mr. Duncan dealt with the steps that have been taken to assist further the development of the industry. "It is most necessary in this high? specialised trade," he added, "that we have no weak links between the producer in New Zealand and the consumer in Great Britain, and it is therefore essential that no delays occur in loading on the New Zealand waterfronts."