WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1929, Page 2

WELLINGTON NEWS

FROZEN MEAT IN 1928. (Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, May 11. A comprehensive survey of the markets for 'frozen and chilled moat in 1928 has been issued by Messrs George C. Keen, Ltd., meat salesmen, London. The firm states that although in the opening months of the year there was a general feeling of optimism so far as trade was concerned the outlook gradually became less bright, due principally to the increase of unemployment in Britain. The embargo on Continental meat which came into force in 1926 i'unturned in operation throughout the year. It affected chiefly ilio pork trade, as pigs constitute the main imports, so far as meats are concerned, tfrom Continental sources. The results of the embargo, according to the firm, ha\c been (1) a considerable expansion in the home production of pigs, (2) larger shipments of fresh pork from Ireland, and (3) a notable increase in the quantity of pigs imported from. New Zealand. The total available supplies increased. rather than decreased, and values throughout the greater part of the year were at comparatively low levels, not .only for home production. Imt al«o for imported pork. The Board of Trade returns show that imports of frozen pork during 1928 totalled 12,341 tons as compared with 9,361 tons in 1927, while the values are given at £936,686 and £818,270 respectively for the two years.

These figures indicate a fall in the price of imported pork to the extent of not less than Id per lb, and at least a corresponding average fall took place in the value of home killed pork. Thus the consumer has not been adversely affected by the embargo. In respect to other classes of imported meats a decrease in tonnage is recorded, chilled and frozen beef imports being 12,023 and 18,490 tons respectively under the 1927 figures. Against these decreases has to he placed a small increase of ,"757 tons in the receipts of mutton and lamb which leaves a net shoitago off 57,766. Ton's.-; ~•,■ ■■ Board of -Trade, retui'ns dealing with those im.jxqrts sho.w .that 890,333 tons were'imported ( dnring 1928 as compared iwitjh, 945,089 tons in the preceding yeaKaPd^th'e 5 'values' '‘are* ‘giveii ' its £50,141,088 and . £46,830,308 respectively. It. will be seen from those figures that notwithstanding a reduction in till' tonnage there is an increase oi £3,310,780 in the value of importa- .• tioils: " Afi’stf(ilia’s' contribution to the foregoing figures was 78,202 tons in ;tlo2B as compared with 63,378 tons in 1927’ while New Zealand’s figures were 162,690 tons in 1928 and 152,561 tons during the previous year. Australia and New Zealand combined therefore account for only 27 per cent of the hcoif, mutton and lamb imported and as those are practically the only British source*- of supply, the figures show to what extent the British public is dependent on foreign countries foi meat to supplement home supplies. Reviewing the twelve months from a selling point of view. .Messrs Kean and Co. state that values have been at higher levels than during 1927, the average prices for all descriptions of imported meats, including pork, show increases, chilled beef having appreciated about -Jriis of Id per lb,'frozen beef fths to id per lb. mutton approximately fths’of Id per lb and lamb about fd per lb, and the firm adds: “It m fairly safe to assume that the greater portion of these increases in selling values has gone to Ihe produceis in the selling com dries oi supply.” Aevidence of the continued demand by the British public for small joints, a feature of the year has again been the preference for light,, weight carcases or quarters. In the case of mutton and lamb this preference was so accentua- ' ted that frequently inferior grade small carcases sold at the same prices as, and occasionally at higher values than prime quality of slightly Heavier weights. , „ . 'I lie imports of chilled beef totalled 6,298,261 quarters, or 251,056 quarters less than the 1927 arrivals of 6,519,217 quarters. It is stated that the efforts 'of the various South America companies to more accurately cater for the ' actual weekly requirements of the trade and the closer consideration given to costs and selling values have been mainly responsible for reduction in values. Shipments in 1927 were in excess of market needs, and the agreement among shippers is claimed to have i. benefitted the meat trade as a whole. Australia and New Zealand were responsible for quite substantial increases of frozen beef, 190,498, Australia contributing 675,605 quarters or a quarter more than in 1927, while New ■ Zealand’s quota was 227,188 quarters, aii increase of 94,961 quarters.