EXPORT OF EGGS

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 30 September 1933, Page 7

EXPORT OF EGGS

IN FULL SWING IMPROVEMENT IN METHODS The export of eggs from New Zealand to Loudon is now in full swing, on a more extensive scale and under better organisation than in previous years. The improvement in organisation methods is the result of a conference held in Wellington in June last between merchants, producers, and officers of the Department of Agriculture, on the initiative of the DirectorGeneral of Agriculture (says the “Evening Post”). At that conference it was decided to form egg-export committees in each of the four centres, and a central committee located in Wellington was appointed to act for the various provincial committees and in the interests of export generally. The Central Export Committee consists of Mr. A. Ironside, representing the Dc- ] partment of Agriculture (chairman), Mr F. Picot, representing merchants • and agents, and Mr J. N. McLean, representing producers (secretary).

i\t the conference held in June, merchants and producers who were present estimated the probable export during the season at 360,000 dozen eggs, and there is every prospect of that estimate being realised. On the Opawa and Mataroa, now loading, quotas have ben allotted as follows: Auckland, 27,000 dozen, Wellington 9000 dozen; Christchurch, 33,000 dozen; and Dunedin 12,000 dozen; a total of 81,000 dozen. At the rate packing for export is proceeding, it is estimated that further quantities will Oc available for export during the present month as follows: Auckland, 24,000 dozen; Wellington, 9000 dozen; Christchurch, 42,000 dozen; and Dunedin, 36,000 dozen; a total of 111,000 dozen. RIGOROUS EXAMINATION.

Packing for export is carried out under conditions specified by the Department of Agriculture, and under the supervision of Government graders. Every egg is examined under a strong light for the detection of interior defects. Cleanliness and soundness of shell are rigorously insisted upon. All egg.s are graded according to weight, as uniformly as possible and each crate exported is marked aceordingly together with the grader’s stamp. The favourable prices realised for New Zealand eggs and their high reputation on the London market, are largely due to the insistence of the Department of Agriculture that eggs of outstanding quality only shall be sent overseas. The Central Export Committee is now in receipt of advice from the Overseas Shipowners’ Allotment Committee that the basic rate of freight on eggs to London has been reduced from 135 s to 120 s per ton as from September 1, 1933. This reduction is equivalent' to approximately Is per crate of 30 dozen eggs, a very substantial concession.

Recent, cabled reports from London state that egg production in Britain and on the Continent has been seriously affected by the long dry summer that has been experienced, and that consequently supplies have not been adequate to meet the usual seasonal demand, with the result that the price of fresh eggs in London last week was about 2s per long hundred higher than on a similar date last year. These facts probably account for the unusual activities of buyers of New Zealand eggs, on a c.i.f. basis, which have resulted in considerable sales being effected, whereas in previous years eggs were invariably forwarded to London agents for sale on consignment. IMPORTANCE OF EXPORT. It is now obvious that the development of the poultry industry in New Zealand has reached a stage when, in addition to supplying the Dominion's requirements, substantial export of surplus eggs in the flush season is essential in the interests of the producers in order to prevent the local market from becoming demoralised through Its inability to absorb supplies at a reasonable price. Moreover, the organised export of eggs is a factor —admittedly a minor factor —in assisting to maintain a favourable overseas balance of trade, as imports of eggs into New Zealand are now a negligible item.