THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service” MONDAY OCTOBER 30, 1950 EXPORT MARKETS FOR MEAT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4349, 30 October 1950, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service” MONDAY OCTOBER 30, 1950 EXPORT MARKETS FOR MEAT

Meat producers in the Dominion and the whole national economy stand to gain in more ways than one if, as the Minister of Marketing, Mr Holyoake, hopes, markets for our lamb and mutton can be successfully developed in the United States, Much depends, of course, on the proportion of our exports set aside for foreign markets under our contract with the British Government. That will not be known until the discussions on the contract, interrupted three months ago, are resumed and completed. But if we have a reasonable quantity of meat available for export to the United States, we should 'be able, in the present circumstances, to negotiate lucrative dollar sales. More important still, we would be' gaining an export outlet which might become increasingly valuable to us in the years ahead. Mr Holyoake considers the principal American demand may be for our lamb, with the possibility of a market for some types of mutton. This confirms the opinion expressed recently by Mr S. C. Sutherland, chairman of directors of Wright, Stephenson and Co. Ltd., who foresaw a “luxury” market in the United States for our lamb, with a demand for ewe mutton from canners for soup and other manufacturing purposes. '‘The Meat Board at the moment is actively investigating these prospects. Nobody can say how long' the American market will remain propitious for these investigations. Indeed, the time factor is such as to make the conclusion of the British contract a matter of urgency.) During the openpf negotiations in London in July, representatives-of the British Ministry of Food were disposed to contest New Zealand’s claims for an advance in meat prices, but the suspension of the talks was arranged because of the difficulties Britain was experiencing in her meat price negotiations with Argentina. These latter have not prospered to any extent during the last three months.

' Uncertainty about supplies from Argentina may cause a change of mind in the British Ministry of Food before the negotioations with New Zealand are resumed. On the other hand, the general stock position for meat may encourage Britain still to contest an increase in prices. In the first four months of this year Britain’s total imports of meat were 71 per cent higher than they were in the comparable period of 1949, and only per cent less than the imported tonnage for the January-April period of 1938. In addition, domestic production is steadily expanding. An ambitious scheme of development in Australia promises increasing beef supplies in the forseeable future, and the Food Ministry may be sanguine enough to anticipate a buyer’s market.

The American market at present exhibits certain most interesting and inviting trends. The whole of the United States is engaged in “stockpiling”—not only the Government, for strategic purposes, but also private individuals who are aiming at larders well stocked for any eventuality. The population of the United States is increasing more rapidly than the American production of certain classes of foodstuffs. Argentina is even sending canned beef to her former competitor. While Americans are not great mutton eaters, they are notable consumers of tinned soups for which New Zealand mutton might well command a ready sale. And if America continues to develop her industrial, as distinct from her agricultural resources, a market thus gained could become permanent.

That is the opportunity which beckons the Dominion’s meat industry. We can produce mutton and lamb more efficiently and economically than any other country in the world. We still owe it td ourselves to sell as much as possible to our best possible advantage..