FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17236, 12 August 1919, Page 6

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

INCREASED PRODUCTION.

LOWER PRICES EXPECTED.

The review of the frozen meat trade, 1918, issued by W. Weddel and Company, Limited, says that despite all difficulties the world's frozen meat trade has continued to expand in volume and in value during the war, and 1918, the year of largest production, has also been the year of the highest prices ever recorded in the history of the trade. The world's output of frozen and chilled beef, mutton and' lamb in 1918 was about 1,130,000 tons —plus an undisclosed quantity shipped to France by the United States Government to feed their own soldiers. This quantity, together with the proportion imported into the United Kingdom, compares with previous years as follows : —

The trade from Australia and New Zealand has suffered owing to the necessity of diverting tonnage to the " short voyage." The list of British-owned steamers fitted for the carriage of frozen meat comprises 229 vessels, with a total refrigerated capacity of 45,398,530 cubic feet, equal to about 454,000 tons of meat. A similar list compiled in 1913 showed 209 steamers, capable of carrying 450,000 tons, so that British refrigerated tonnage space has been maintained during the war. At the end of 1918 there were 23 additional steamers in course of construction, with an estimated capacity of 71,500 tons of meat. Twenty French and Italian steamers, with a capacity of 41,500 tons, have been already put into the trade, and a considerable fleet of foreign-owned refrigerated steamers is now in sight. An important feature when prices are concerned is that higher prices have been paid for foreign than for British Dominion supplies. At the SmithSeld market, where selling prices were determined by the Ministry of Food, the wholesale prices at the beginning and end of 1918 were as follows —

In the latter part of the year a differentiation was made between prime and secondary qualities. * In reviewing prospects Messrs. W. Weddel and Company advocate a removal of official control froffl the British market, so that freedom of contract may be restored at all stages between the "producer and consumer.

Consumption, says the review, is not more than 75 per cent, of the pre-war standard, partly because rationing has appreciably modified the standard of living, and partly because of high prices. Unless these are artificial maintained bv the Government a reduction of from 25 to 50 per cent, from the present inflated level of imported meats is quite within the range of possibility, and even then prices would*be 50 per cent, higher than at the outbreak of war.

World U.K. Output. Imports. Per Tons. Tons. cent. 1913 .. 767,000 721.000 94 1914 . . 801,000 694,000 87 1915 . . 882,000 664,000 75 1916 . . 916,000 534,000 58 1917 . . 965,000 433.000 45 1918 . , 1.130,000 489.000 43 The sources of supply for the last three years have been as follows — 1916. 1917. 1918. Tons. Tons. Tons. Australia . . 104,000 119,000 67.000 New Zealand . . lSS.000 117,000 99,000 Canada . . . . 15,000 55,000 46.000 South Africa . . 8.0CO 22,900 8,000 Total British Dominions . . 285,000 313,000 220,000 South" America . . 535,000 540,000 690,000 Other foreign countries . . 96,000 112,000 220,000" Total . . . . 916,000 965.000 1,130,000

., „ , , , Beginning. End. Mutton -and lamb . . ll}d 1/3 Beef, fores . . ,. g$d 1/01 Beef, hmds . . . . lljd " 1/7J-