LONDON MEAT MARKETS.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 765, 30 December 1908, Page 4

LONDON MEAT MARKETS.

! The Colonial Consignment and Disi tributing Co. send us the following meat market report, under date London, November 13: — The arrivals of live sheep in the five weeks since our last mail circular comprise 6738 head from the United States, 2319 bead from Canada and 2515 head from Denmark (Iceland), the first consignment from that country this season. These additions bring up importations to 68,203 head, leaving a shortage of 19,706 head compared with last year s figures to the same date. The number of cattle received has been fairly well up to the average for the year, the United States having 1 sent 21,398 head and Canada 17,813 ' head, as against 23,058 and 18,/ 98 head in the preceding five weeks. The heavy decrease compared with last 1 year's imports, however, continues to 1 grow, and now amounts to nearly 89,000 head. . During the five weeks the arrivals i of rabbits have again been heavy, Australia sending 99,518 cwts., New ■ Zealand 17,694 cwts. and the Continent 10,808 cwts. These quantities ■ bring up importations to 469,441 cwts.. as acainst 606.992 cwts. in tlie same period last year. Once again it lias te be reported '■ that, during the five weeks since our i last review was issued, trade has been very disappointing. The frozen meat •trade in particular has been extremely dull and has had to encounter many adverse influences. Tbe weather, with the exception of a few days latterly, has been mild and unseasonable, having the effect of causing the retailers to restrict their ■ purchases. Supplies of Continental and Scotch sheep and lambs have been extremely heavy and have frequently been sold at prioes which allowed of no competition from frozen meat. Chilled beef is also selling at prices very little above those ruliig for frozen beef, and the former has been more plentiful at prices very little above those ruling for frwen beef, and the former has been more plentiful than for some time past. Under these circumstances it Is a matter for congratulation that quotations for frozen meat have been so well maintained, although it las been at the "expense of a conside**aoiy restricted output. The provincial trade has suffered from the strike in tKe Lancashire district, but this fortunately has now terminated. New Zealand Mutton.— Although some 204,000 carcases have arrived in the five weeks, the total arrivals, 1,---574,828 carcases, are still 279,570 carcases short of last year's figures. Stocks in store are in very manageable compass and to this must be attributed the fact that prices have been maintained. The quantities afloat are also very light, and importers have been enabled to hold firm for current values. The demand has been by no means brisk but the -:-«*tput probably has been equal to requirements. Canterburys are still somewhat out of favour and diffi viity is experienced in obtaining the premium demanded over other tranus The quotation remains at 3fd fco id per lb according to weight, but very little business has been done at the latter figure. North Islands have been steady at 3_d to 3§d per- lb throughout the whole period, and ewes are in fair request at 3id per lb. South American Mutton. — This large qauntity of 306,346 carcases has come to hand, bringing the aggregate to 2,724,195 carcases, and showing an increase of 253,536 carcases. These 'sheep have secured the bulk of trade in frozen mutton, but no attempt has been made, to .advance prices. Good small carcases sell readily ancl are firm at 3_d per lb, but Medium weights can easily be % obtained afc 3Jd per lb. The provincial trade has been quiet and values there are practically the same as in London. Australian Mutton. — This mutton is coming forward a little more freely and 86,768 carcases have boen received in the five weeks. There is still a very considerable deficiency on last year's imports. A quiet totsteady trade is being done at relatively fair prices. Tbe best quality small sheep are worth 3|d per : b, md medium weights about 3id per lb. Inferior brands can occasionally be bought at 3Jd per lb. The quality generally is very fair and the ireat is giving satisfaction to buyers. Frozen Lambs.— The New Zealand supplies have practically ceased, °.i d the Australian stocks are vet ci'Jy of moderate dimensions. South American shipments are still ununpcrLa-it but are steadily increasing. T he iielt result is tbat supplies are about 93,---000 carcases short of last year's figures. The demand has fallen off with startling rapidity, but holders ar© not encumbered witb heavy < stocks and have preferred to maintain prices with a limited output rather than force sales in competition with Dutch and Scotch lambs selling at practically the same prices as frozen. Canterbury lambs of small weight are quoted at s§d per lb, and similar North Islands at s|d per lb. Heavy and inferior lambs 6eli down to 5d per lb. Australians are not much in evidence yet and really good quality lambs are scarce. Quotations range from 4_d to 5d per lb. River Plate lambs are selling at about the same prices as Australian. Frozen Beef .—The arrivals have been fairly heavy, amounting to 190,---266 quarters, and there is now a nett increase for the year of 97,245 quarters. Business has been very intermittent, and dependent on the offerings of chilled beef. Quotations at the close are practically uniform for New Zealand, South American and Australian beef, the last being of exceptionaly good quality, at about 3-fd per lb for hinds and 3-Jd per lb for fores. "With cbiUed beef at present E rices, however, no frozen beef is eing placed on the market", and the limited business done is entirely ex store. Fores" have been in fair request until recently and the quotation for these is first,