EXPORT OF LAMBS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22240, 15 October 1935, Page 5

EXPORT OF LAMBS

GOOD YEAR EXPECTED RISE IN MARKET PRICES • A SATISFACTORY DEMAND A further advance has occurred in prices for New Zealand lamb on the Smithfield market, and exporters expect that the coming season will be a particularly favourable one. The top price of 8d per lb. compares with 7id at this time in the past two years. The market at present is firm, on shorter supplies, but it is unlikely that there will be any accumulation of stocks while the consumption remains satisfactory. A feature of the trade in the past few years has been the decided public preference for lamb, as against other classes of meat.

It is reported that prices for New Zealand lamb are now close to homekilled. This is unusual, as there is sometimes a price margin of 4d to 6d per lb. New Zealand lamb enjoys a firio reputation in Great Britain, due to quality and to judicious advertising.

The first of the new season's lambs are being shipped on the Tongariro, which sails to-morrow, about 700 carcases being consigned. Further lambs for the Christmas trade in England will follow on the R emu era, while sails on October 26. These early lambs aro fetching fancy prices, ranging up to 9Jd per lb., which is the best for several years. However, as the season this year is late, the lambs aro light, and many producers prefer to hold back supplies in order to add weight. On present indications, it is likely that the market will remain firm for some time.

Exporters are not yet working to a schedule price for lambs, as supplies are scarce. Trade is still brisk in pigs, schedule prices on hooks at freezing works being unchanged as follows:—* Porkers, 601b. to 801b., 5Jd per lb.;' 811b. to 1001b., 4*d; 1011b. to 1201b., 4|d; baconers, 1211b. to 1601b., 45d;' 1611b. to 1801b., 4|d; 1811b. to 2001b., 3id; over 2001b. and choppers, 2Jd; second grade, less; unexportable, less 2d for porkers and IJd for baconers.