RECORD EGG SHIPMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20370, 26 September 1929, Page 9

RECORD EGG SHIPMENT.

EXPORT TO BRITAIN.

CONSIGNMENT BY ROTORUA.

THE GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE

Provincial and Dominion records in the export of eggs'will bo established by the despatch for England by the Rotorua on October 7 of 750 cases or 22,500 eggs from Auckland, and over. 3000 cases from the whole of New Zealand.

The shipment will be the first this season from Auckland and the second from New Zealand, a consignment of between 1200 and 1500 cases from Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington being sent by the Rimutaka from Wellington last week. The previous highest individual shipment from New Zealand was that of 2489 cases exported from the South Island by the Tonic in October last year. The Auckland quota of 750 cases by the Rotorua is greater by 120 cases than the highest season's total—that of 630 cases in 1924. Tho total number of cases to be exported from New Zealand this season is expected to bo about 15,000, tho total for New Zealand last year being 7427. The following figures give the number of cases exported from Auckland during'tho last six years:—l 923, 611; 1924, 630; 1925, —; 1926, 193; 1927, —; 1928, 500. Owing to .small supplies no eggs were exported during 1925 and 1927. The total value realised by the eggs exported from New Zealand last year was about £22,000, and it is expected the shipments this year will produce about £50,000. The value of the egg industry in New Zealand is estimated at £3,000,000 a year. Believing the Market. The export of eggs, while in itself not always a profitable venture for the producer or his agents, has of recent years become necessary during tho production season to reduce the large quantities which are inclined to become a glut on tho market. The Auckland system of six pools, comprising local firms of merchants and producers' societies, is under the direction of the Government poultry instructor and grader, Mr. E. C. Jarrett.

The eggs exported carry a temporary and variable Government guarantee amounting this season to about 2s Id a dozen. Thus the producer is assured of a return, after the deduction of the various expenses incurred in the exporting trade, of at least Is 3d a dozen. Owing to the costs of foodstuffs It is stated to bo almost impossible for a poultry-keeper to produce eggs during the cheap season at less than that figure. New Zealand's High Quality. In 1926 the eggs were sold at f.o.b. rates, resulting in large profits for the buyers. In the next exporting season, 1928, the Government guarantee was first instituted providing for a gross return of 2s 2<l a dozen. Owing to the mild late autumn experienced in Europe the. English market was glutted with eggs, and the prices did not realise the guaranteed rates. As a result the New Zealand Government had to subsidise producers* to the extent 1 * of £SOOO. Ihe British Government now compels all imported eggs to be branded with the name of the exporting country. As the good quality and grading of New Zealand eggs invariably meets with a keen demand w the Home markets, it is possible, Mr. Jarrctt stated yesterday, that the full guaranteed price or even a higher one -may be realised this season. The bulk of" the eggs being received at the Government grading store, he said, came from the new co-operative concern, Poultry Producers' Products, which was endeavouring to maintain the local markets at prices payablo to the producer. The cleanliness and quality of the eggs received, he said, wero of an improved standard, but far too many were below standard size, and had to be rejected. The producers would be well advised to see that exportable eggs were packed separate from supplies for local sales. Most of the poultrykeepers in the Auckland province were in a small way, arid consequently there wero too few producers exporting. Much larger quantities were exported from Christcliurch and Dunedin. Two Further Shipments, A prominent member of the Auckland Egg Producers* Association stated yesterday that New Zealand could well export up to 50,000 cases a year. The Government subsidy only provided for a total value of £IO,OOO, tho producers having to "gamble" on the returns for exports of a higher value. Even export without profit, he said, would greatly assist the industry by the stabilising of the local markets. Owing to recent economising in the costs of exportation the poultrykeeper could expect a higher net return this year. The efforts of local exporting producers last year was offset by the importation of 500 cases of Canadian eggs. England imports a total of 48,000,000 eggs annually, of a value of about £16,000,000. The principal expovting countries are Denmark, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Irish Free State. South Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand export to England during the scarce season existing from September to December.

Two other shipments will be sent from New Zealand by tho Tamaroa at the end of October, antkthe Gorintl.ic during November. The "Auckland quotas will bo determined by the Auckland Egg Export Committee.

Mr. J. B. Merrelt, (he ex-New Zealand authority on the exporting of eggs, is leaving 'Australia, next Monday to supervise the sain of Australian eggs in London. Mr. Merretl left New Zealand four years ago to engage in the export of eggs from Australia, and last, season sent, over fifteen million eggs to London. Tt is his purpose to secure business for Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa so that part of the money spent by Great Britain on tlje import of eggs each year may be diverted to the Dominions. Under the Australian Department of Markets he will carry out several experiments in the carriage and storage of eggs, and investigate the" effect the marking of Dominion eggs I will have on Great Britain under the Merchandise Marks Act.