FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1135, 13 January 1903, Page 6

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

COMMISSIONER'S REPOBT. The Department of Industries and Commerce has received a report from the N.Z. Produoe Commissioner in London, in which he says that until the beginning of August fair average shipments of mutton had been arriving and stocks were in reasonable compass. During August and September very heavy shipments were received; this was not only from New Zealand, but also from Biver Plate. Both countries during August established records in the quantity received here from them in any one month since the commencement of the trade. During the two months named the number of carcases received from New Zealand was 595,675, and from Argentine 527,971. Coming at a time of the year when trade usually slackens these supplies had naturally a considerable efleot in depressing the market, and a largo proportion of the meat was placed in cold store. Had steady and regular shipments of mutton then continued to come forward from New Zealand, with even lessening quantities, the probability was that prices would have receded. This is the more likely as continuously since the middle of August, reports made by salesmen have been that trade was slow, with dull demand. During October, however, the quantity arriving from New Zealand was less than half that reoeived in September, and less than one-third of that reoeived in Augußt. This was followed during November by the arrival of only 89,297 carcases. At the beginning of October repotts were received from the colony indicating that small supplies only might be expeoted to be sent Home for some length of time. Immediately this was realised by those engaged in the wholesale trade prices began to firm, the market became speculative, and while sales of mutton off the books at Smith&eld oould not be effected in any large quantity at higher rates, purchases commenced to be made ex ship or in store for forward delivery at rates equal to and sometimes higher than those ruling on Smitbtield market. Of course, as is natural when prices such as those now ruling are realised, supplies from the continent are sent forward in increasing quantity. Considerable numbers of Servian sheep have been received, many of them of inferior quality, in some oascr bo bad as to be condemned. It is reported also that mutton is coming from Hungary and Uouraania. During the past three weeks the United States have come into the field as exporters, and five thousand carcases have been landed. They have been delivered in very good condition, bright in appearance, and well dressed. About half were old ewes of very good quality, the other half wethers, wit'n strains of merino in them. The price realised was nbout IJd for ewes and 4|d for wethers. These prices are said to pay shippers well, and it is understood that between 5000 and 7000 more have been shipped, and so loi.g as present high values rule I am informed the United States can continue exporting. A year or two ago small shipments of chilled mutton were attempted from America., but when introduced on the market here it was found that customers were not attracted owing to the rapidity with which carcases lost their bloom and became discolored after being landed. From all I can gather, however, I do not think that the export of mutton from the States need be expected to be greatly developed or to become of importance in competition witli New Zealand in the frozen mutton tradfi.