MEAT FOR EXPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21468, 17 April 1933, Page 5

MEAT FOR EXPORT

LAMB KILLINGS HIGHER HEAVY FALL IN MUTTON BEEF AND PIGS INCREASE Killings of lamb for export at New Zealand works during the six months of the current season ended March 31 show an increase of about 9 per cent over the total for the corresponding period last season, but mutton killings are 30 per cent lower, according to tho latest returns of tho Now Zealand Meat Producers' Board. The output of beef quarters has been five times higher, while pig killings have been doubled. Shipments of lamb to tho United Kingdom increased during tho period, but mutton shipments declined heavily, so that the totals together show a reduction of about 6 per cent on last year's figure. However, beef and pig shipments were more than doubled. During the six months' period this season, killings of lamb totalled 6,337,478 carcases, compared with 5,788,716 carcases in the same period last season, and the shipments to Great Britain totalled 3,832,332 carcases, against 3,684,898 carcases. A total of 1,497,990 carcases of mutton was killed this season, compared with 2,114,694 carcases last season and the shipments to Great Britain were carcases and 1,241,894 carcases respectively. Dominion Totals Killings of stock for export in Oc-tober-March of 1932-33 and 1931-32 are compared in tho following table; — 19:?2-:53 191! 1-32 Beef (quarters) . . 188,623 28,285 Wetliers (carcases) .. 8fi0,22G ],050,507 Ewe (circuses) . . . 097,761 1,004,127 Lamb (carcases) . . C,337,478 5,788,716 Porkers (carcases) . . 152,689 77,682 Baconers (carcases) . . 46,309 15,332 Boneless beof (fit. e'es) 176,711 166,584 Sundries (fit. carcases) 105,1-13 104,227 The separate killings at North and South Island works were as follows, the figures for the previous season being given in parentheses: — North Island. —Beef (quarters), 18.422 (28,277): wethers (carcases), 707,569 (983,0:36); ewes, 486,158 (796,722); lambs, 3,562,850 (3,561,761); porkers, 151,577 (77,391); baconers, 44,971 (11,3.50); boneless beef (freight carcases), 154,339 (145.976); sundries, 70.868 (67,252). South Island. —Beef, 201 (8); wethers. 92,357 (67,531); ewes, 211,606 (267,405); lambs, 2,774,628 (2,226,955); porkers, 1112 (291); baconers, 1335 (982); boneless beef, 22,372 (20,608); sundries, 31,275 (36,975). Shipments of frozen meat to the United Kingdom during October-March, with the quantities for the same period of last season, were as followsßeef, quarter*,, 102,806 (45,481); mutton carcases, 809,566 (1,241,894); lamb, 2.832,332 (3,684,898); pork, 122,445 (61,937); boneless beef (bags), 56,186 (101,124). Meat in Store The total stocks of meat in store and on ships in New Zealand at the end of March with those on hand at March 31, 1932, in parentheses, are as follows:—Beef, 116,725 (22,946); wethers, 438,183 (496,983); ewes, 461,718 (622,888); lambs, 2,632,880 (2,318,230); porkers, 67,923 (32,203);• baconers, 22,314 (7187); boneless beef, 79,849 (105,317); sundries, 35,337 (30,316). Shipments of meat from Australia and South America to the United Kingdom during March were as follows: Australia: Carcases mutton, 13,255; carcases lamb, 9915; quarters beef, 17,610. South America: Carcases_ mjittou, 117,828; carcases lamb, 645,676; quarters beef (frozen), 10,558; quarters beef (chilled), 537,062. The following shipments were made from New Zealand in the same period:—Carcases mutton, 330,614; carcases lamb, 1,214,593; quarters beef, 41,412. LOCAL RATES HIGHER LAMB AND MUTTON PROGRESS OF KILLING SEASON Following the improvement in the London market for lamb, an advance of has been made in the local export rates. Some grades of mutton also show a firming, but other prices, are unchanged. Tho current schedule of export meat rates in the Auckland Province is as follows: Lambs. —361b., 42d; 371b. to 421b.. 33d; 431b. and over, 3id; seconds, 4d. Wethers, 481b., 3d; 491b. to 561b., 2|d; 571b. to 641b., 2Jd; 651b. to 721b., lid; over 721b., lid; seconds, 2id. Ewes.—4Blb., .lid; 571b. to 641b., Id; 651b. and over. 2d; seconds, Id. Beef. —Prime ox, 5601b. to 8801b., 17s per 1001b.; overs, unders and seconds, 13s 6d; prime cow, 10s; seconds, 7s 6d; boner bulls, 14s; boner cows, 7s 6(1. Pitrs.—Bolb., 4£d; 811b., to 1001b.. 4id; 1011b. to 1201b., 4d; 1211b. to 1501b., 3Jd; seconds, id less. . The killing season in the rsorth is now drawing to a close, although fair quantifies of stock are still going forward to the works. The restriction placed on beef killings, owing to the record output of meat and dairy produce from the province, has been eased somewhat and the works in Auckland and South • Auckland are now taking all classes of stock. J.IIO North Auckland works, however, are still closed to beof, but this restriction is expected to be lifted 011 May 1. Few lambs are now offering, but there are some large consignments frdm time to time. Mutton killings have declined considerably, due to the tact that local rates aro well above export value and the local market seems capable of absorbing all that is offering. Pigs are going forward to the works penerally in better condition, and it appears that the season for these is lengthening owing to better methods of fattening. CUSTOMS EXCHANGE RATES Rates of exchange ruling at the announced date of departure of the vessels named are shown in tho following table. Thev are subject to confirmation bv the Customs Department when the exact time of departure is learnecl on arrival of the vessels in New Zealand, finally declared rates being marked : Wirral. America, dollars . ■ • • |.44J Niagara, Canada, dollars . . • • 3 42J Golden Eagle, America, dollars , . •"} Brisbane Maru, _ Japan. y°n •• 0495 Waikawa, America, dollars . • o*4ll Mariposa, America, dolars • ■ >'• ' Canadian Cruiser. Canada, dollars 4.14 NEW ZEALAND MONEY ABROAD The cost in New Zealand currency of the pound sterling and of the principal foreign units, on tho latest quotations. is as follows:- Preßent p rice r Par London, pound . . -- 24 H. 58 20 0.00 Australia, pound . .. 20 0.00 -U u.u New Yorlt. dollar . .. 7 6.55 4 1.31 Montreal, dollar .. .. 2,36 .. Paris, franc .. .. 0 3.4; 0 .93 Berlin, mark . . • • 1 B.s ; 0 11.7 Copenhagen, krone .. 1 I.M Yokohama, yen .. •• 1 6.05 l U.o. These valuations represent the current rates at which banks sell drafts payable on demand.