FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 253, 20 September 1930, Page 9

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

INCREASE IN EXPORTS. CONDITIONS ON MARKET. Reviewing the frozen meat trade in the course, of his annual report to the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, the president (Mr M. H. Oram) refers to the prospects as shown with figures supplied by Mr M. A. Eliott, as follow: “The quantities of beef, mutton and lamb killed for export at all freezing works in New Zealand show substantial increases as compared with the corresponding period of the 1928-29 season. Beef, increase 26,608 quarters; wethers, increase 434,000 carcases ; ewes, increase 440,000 carcases; lamb, increase 953,700 carcases; pork on the other hand, shows a decrease of 28,594 carcases. “The increase in wethers and ewes is very considerable,- representing approximately 50 per cent above the previous year ; and lamb approximately shows an increase of 20 per cent. These increases to a large extent set off the lower prices received. “It is a striking fact that after providing for the wants of our own population, as well as showing a considerable increase in the numbers of sjieep, we were still able to export practically 33 1-3 per cent of the total number of sheep in Now Zealand. Now, referring to the matter of prices, these were a very disappointing factor throughout the whole season and the losses made by freezing companies and meat exporters were serious. ’ “The first arrivals of prime lamb in London in January, realised lid per lb and second quality 10d, but from then onwards prices fell week by week and month by month until May, when prime lamb was only worth Bd, and second quality 7Jd. Since then, however, prices for prime have improved to BJd, but second quality has shown a further fall and is now down to 7d. The first arrivals of wethers in February sold at 7Jd, but by May the price }iad dropped to 4|d. Ewes in February sold at from 6Jd to 6£d, but by July had dropped to 2jd for light weights, 2sd for heavy weights. This is the lowest point touched since the slump in 1921.” .