MEAT FOR EXPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20840, 6 April 1931, Page 5

MEAT FOR EXPORT.

BRIGHTER TONE IN MARKET. FEWER KILLINGS AT AUCKLAND. BONEJLESS . BEEF OFFERINGS. Although there lias not been any appreciable improvement in prices during the past month, therejias been a decidedly better tone in the overseas markets, stated one of Auckland's leading meat, exporters on Thursday. The lower prices had stimulated the demand in Great Britain, and there was every reason to believe that prices would tend to move to slightly higher levels once accumulated stocks were disposed of. The increasing consumption in Great Britain was one of the healthy factors of the present position. Killings at the various works in the province are now well down below peak volume, and activities are confined mostly to odd lots. A few lambs are still coming forward to meet an export market Jd a lb. above prices of a week or so ago. Big sheep are not offering in very large numbers, as the local market offers prices above export parity. Prime cattle are in somewhat the same position, with buyerg for the local trade able to outbid exporters right through. With the faljs recorded at the weekly Westfiejd sale over the past fortnight, however, prices cannot drop much lower before exporters will be able to come in. Low Prices for Boneless Beef. Boner and canner cows, the cujls of the dairy herds in all parts of the province, are now engaging the attention of exporters. These are offering from all parts and are being killed fairly freely at low prices. There has been a slightly better inquiry for this .class of meat lately, but, nevertheless, the bulk of the export business is being done on a consignment basis to Glasgow, few buyers at the other end being prepared to take much risk with the market.

Some firms operating on laii]b qnd mutton in the Auckland Province are not prepared to touch either prime or boner beef, but a number of others is prepared to give around 8s 6d for cows and lis 6d for boner bulls. At this price the dairyman is assured of an average price of around 30s to 35s for his cull cows, which is not exceptionally attractive when costs of getting the beasts into the works are taken into consideration.

At one time a big part of New Zealand's export trade in boneless beef was done with New York, but the optiopal tariff of 3d a pound, which can be imposed at a month's notice, has blocked this avenue for I\ T ew Zealand. All Export? to Great Britain. Practically the whole of New Zealand's meat exports this season have been to Great Britain. Efforts were made by Auckland exporters recently to interest Italian importers in veal, but, although a good demand was found to exist there, New Zealand's price was regarded as being a shade too high. Reports that several farmers who had shipped Home on consignment on tljeir own account this season had been called upon to meet debit nqtes as a result of expenses exceeding returns were contradicted by the exporter. At no time this season had prices in London been insuffjcient, to cover expenses of killing marketing. Advances to shippers had also beeu managed this season" on a considerably better hasis than during the 1921 slump, when there were cases of farmers being called upon to mgke reclamations after their meat hfid been marketed in London. Advances this year, as far as the Auckland Province was concerned, have been regulated so as to allow for declines in the overseas market before the niegt reached there, and shippers were at least assured of the advance made them, with every prospect of a further pay-out when the meat was sold.