LAMB EXPORT TRADE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 7, 19 December 1932, Page 11

LAMB EXPORT TRADE

KILLINGS AT AUCKLAND WORKS

IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY

Auckland, Dec. 17. The four freezing works in the Auckland Province are at present operating at full capacity to cope with the increased number of lambs coming forward from all districts. Killing is almost solely confined to lambs, of which more than 10,000 are being put through daily by means of the chain system. Exporters’ prices on hooks are unchanged on the basis of 4jd per lb. up to 361 b. the other rates being:—37lb. to 421 b. 3|d; over 421 b. and seconds, 3}d. Tnere has beeii a satisfactory response at these rates and the trade is making up leeway on the October and November killings returns, which for the whole of New Zealand showed a fall of over 50 per cent, compared with the same period last year. Owing to a most favourable season for growth and fattening, the lambs are in very satisfactory condition and experts state that the quality leaves very little to be desired. “The quality of Auckland lambs to-day compares favourably with those from any other province in New Zealand and buyers in England are beginning to recognise this fact,” said a leading exporter yesterday. “At one time the standard quality of Auckland lambs was considered inferior to that of Canterbury, Wellington and Hawke’s Bay lambs, but that position no longer obtains. Formerly,• ‘Canterbury lamb’ set a very high standard, but the marked difference in quality is no longer apparent.” The export season for lambs was delayed this year owing to the uncertain state of the Home market, but buyers are now showing more confidence. As lambs cannot be held for any length of time, it was considered desirable to concentrate on the killing of this class of stock. Very little beef or mutton is being killed, but exporters expect that ewes will come forward in larger numbers when lamb killings begin to. decline a considerable number of porkers is passing through the various works, the following exporters’ rates being current:—Up to 801 b. 41d per lb.; 811 b. to 1001 b. 3 5-8 d; 1011 b. to 1501 b., 3 3-8 d; seconds, }d less.