PORK AND BACON.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4803, 28 June 1939, Page 3

PORK AND BACON.

OUTPUT DOWN 15 PER CENT. In calculating from numbers at standard weights of 801 b for porkers and 1401 b for baconers, it is estimated that our pig meat export this season is down 15 per cent, on last season’s. Actually the decline may be nearer 18 per cent., as so many extremely light porkers were drafted this autumn, swelling numbers disproportionately to tonnage.

In May, 50,000 porkers, so called ir. many cases, went to the works; only 3000 baconers were then taken. Compared with a year earlier, to the end of May, killings of porkers were down 60,000 and of baconers 34,000. These are decreases in proportion with the totals for each. An earlier noted swing to bacon has been cancelled out by the May porker draftings.

In no other phase of our export trade is so great a decline in production for this season seen, as in the full season’s output of pork and bacon. It is an unfortunate matter, and one for which prices cannot be blamed in any degree and for which climatic conditions cannot be held entirely responsible.

One bright feature is that quality of produce has shown steady improvement.

Smithfield quotations for New Zealand supply are:—

Pork, 60/80, 6%d, up %d on last month. This compares with 7d and 6%d a lb one and two years ago respectively. Bacon, 121/160’s, 6d a lb, up %d on a month ago. This compares with 6%d at this season, both one and two years ago.

These prices are definitely satisfactory and enable a good schedule payment. This is so, even though they are a little lower than those that have obtained in the last two years.

Prospects are such as to justify producers preparing to improve plant and stock, in expectation of a remunerative season to come.