MEAT EXPORT TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20627, 28 July 1930, Page 15

MEAT EXPORT TRADE.

PROSPECTS OF SEASON.

INCREASED QUANTITIES

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Although a number of freezing companies may carry on for some timo yet. killing and exporting small quantities of stock, (ho season practically closed nt the end of last month. The present is consequently a good time to review our season's exports of meat, on which depends to a very largo extent (ho prosperity of tho farming community. A perusal of tho monthly review published by the Meat, Producers' Board shows that, compared with the previous season, there has been a big increase in all meat exports, with tho exception of pig products which, as yet, have not developed to any important degree. More Money lrom Wethers.

During the period under review, from October 1, 1929, to June 50, 1930. we killed for export at all works in New Zealand 1,443.625 wethers compared with 1,001.074 in 1929, an increase of 447,551. Tho latest price quotations from Pinitlifield give the value of these at 5d per lb. for lightweights, compared with 6d per lb. at I be. same time last year. A very rough estimate of the value, of our increas cd export, averaging the weight of the carcases at 601bs. at 5d., gives us £559,438. Offsetting this we have had to accept at least Id per lb. less for the whole of our output, equal to 5s per head, or in round figures £250.270. This leaves us an apparently increased income of £309,108 from the export of wethers. In ewes, the increase has been 447,455 carcases, from 690,535 in 1928-29 to 1.137,970 this season. Here the average drop in value has been about 2d per lb., based on ruling prices at the present time and at the same date last year. Basing the value of our increase at 3d per lb. and 601b. carcases, we lind it to be worth £335.568, while in decreased value over the 1928-29 export, the reduction is 10s per carcase, or £345,263, a loss of £9700 despite (he increased export.

Over a Million Extra lrom Lamb. During t lis 1929-30 export season we sent away, or have in store for export. 181.550 quarters of beef, compared witli 130,923 quarters for tho previous season. This gives us an increase of 50.627 quarters of approximately 1751b5. each. Beef is apparently about Id per lb. down (averaging fores and hinds), on last year's prices, though quotations for NewZealand beef were not given at this time last season. However, averaging the price at 4Jd per lb. makes our increased export worth £165.014, while the reduction of Id per lb. in value on the. 1928-29 export amounts to £95,465. leaving us a surplus of approximately £69,549. Our greatest increase in any particular class of meat was with lamb, where we sent away 910.346 more carcases than in 1928-29. bringing our total export to 6.778.320 carcases. Averaging these carcases at 28s. makes our increased export £1.256.479 in value, against which there has probably been an average fall of about Id per IL>.. compared with 1928-29, making a total of £166,846. This leaves us with £1,089,633 to the good in income from lamb. Boneless beef and sundries each give us a small profit, which may be used to offset the reduced quantity exported and prices for pork. Our increased income in New Zealand from meat exported during the last, year is £1.458.650 when compared with the 1928-29 season. This should encourage our farmers, and is a strong argument in fa Four of increased production despito lower prices. , . When the forecast for this years income was made some eight months ago, apparently last year's export figures were taken as a basis on which to estimate the probable loss which would occur as a result of reduced prices. No one was then prepared to hazard the opinion that we would be able to send away fat, nearly 2.000.000 extra sheep and lambs.

Britain Our Best Customer. It, shows what a remarkable little country this Dominion is, and especially so when due weight is given lo the fact that at the same lime our flocks ha\e increased to over 30,000,JW. This past, season Great Britain has been bv far our best, customer, the North American continent taking much less tlmn in the previous year. Of the o als already shipped. Great Britain has taken (he following, the quantity of the same meat sent to Canada and the Liutwl . t, being given in parenthesesßeef, 92 642 quarters (17,912 quarters); mutton, 1.525,222 carcases (4748 carcases); lamb, 5,219,420 carcases (9509 carcases) ; poi 87 981 carcases (nil); boneless bee, 57 411 bags (3840 bags). In the previous season the following quantities of meat were Kent to the Noil , American l,!,nh. ters: mutton, , , 48.277 carcases; pork, nil; boneless bee , 53,561 bags.