LONDON MEAT MARKET.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 613, 2 July 1908, Page 4

LONDON MEAT MARKET.

The Colonial Consignment and Dis- , tributing Co., Ltd., report under date London, May 15: — | In the five weeks since our last ! mail report very small numbers of J live sheep have come to hand, the United States having sent only 3,675 head, as against receipts of 9491 head in the previous five weeks. Importations amount in all to the moderate figure of 27,445, compared with 53,727 head to the same date last year. During the period under review, the United States have sent 28,684 and Canada 3431 head of cattle, or 8862 head less than the total for the preceding five weeks. Compared with the imports to the same date of last year, 'there is a shortage of 27,336 head. Increased quantities of . fresh mutton have been received, Holland sending 4946 cwts., the United States 781 cwts. and other countries 2605 cwts., compared with 1743 cwts., 493 cwts. and 816 cwts. respectively, in the previous five weeks. Looking at the trade generally, both at Smithfield and in the Provinces, it appears that the value of home-killed meat has been fully maintained at a comparatively high level, Scotch sheep selling at 7sd to BJd per lb, and English wethers at 6jd to 7sd per lb, whilst Scotch beef realises 6Jd to 6Jd per lb, English sides 6d to 6Jd, and port-killed about the same rate. But turning to the imported section, we find that the only article which has maintained its value is chilled North American beef. New Zealand Mutt0n.— 230,213 carcases have arrived during the past five weeks and importations show a decrease of 200,015 carcases when compared with the corresponding period of last year. Notwithstanding this decrease the market is fully supplied and there is a distinct feeling of depression. Values have declined about |d per lb with the exception of prime light-weight Canterbury, which, owing to their scarcity, are in great demand. This drop in price has to a certain extent stimulated the demand, as the difference in the amount asked for good Plate mutton was fully id per lb less than that which obtained for similar weight North Islands; under the circumstances, the buyers purchased Plate in preference. To-day's quotation for North Islands is 3|d to 3£d per lb, but this figure is only obtainable for the primo quality ; other grades are selling at 3|d to 3sd per lb. Canterbury mutton of good quality is realising 4Jd to 4|d per lb, heavy weights are, however, difficult to dispose of. New Zealand Lamb. — Stocks have been increased by 496,903 carcases, and the total arrivals for the year to date amount to 944,796 carcases, this is a decrease of 42,151 carcases when compared with the same period of last year. The condition and quality of many of the lambs now arriving leaves much to be desired, the carcases showing the effects of the recent drought. This class of lamb is difficult to dispose of and to a certain extent tends to depress the market. Good quality lambs are in great demand, and prices have been fairly maintained. Prime Canterburys are selling at sfd to s|d per lb, while North Islands are quoted at a range of 4|d to sgd per lb. Frozen Beef. — There has been a total increase to date this year as compared with last, of 76,621 quarters, but New Zealand shows a decline of 18,370 quarters, and her exports represent less than 10 per I cent, of the total quantity.