THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1533, 18 July 1901, Page 31

THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY

A REPORT BY THE PRODUCE COMMISSIONER.

In his report to the Agricultural Department, dated London, June 7th, the Produce Inspector states that excessive dullness prevails in the mutton market at Home. Prices have been steadily receding for some time, until now, with the exception of those obtaining for prim© quality meat, they are so very low as to be undoubtedly unpayable to the shippers. On top ©f this state of things the inspector reports that the arrivals have been heavy, and that stocks have been accumulating. Prim© sheep are, however, scarce, and consequently in demand at good prices, averaging 4d per lb, while coarse sheep are in excess, and are only selling with difficulty down to as low as per lb. Mr Cameron, the inspector, has found that many carcases offering ar© grossly fat and wasteful, and are practically useless for a highclass trade. The shipments during the present season hav© been greatly in excess of those pf previous years. There is a feeling on th© market, however, that shipments of New Zealand are likely to become lighter, owing to the prices realised offering little inducement to con-

tinue shipping freely. Mr Cameron has been informed that speculators, at th© time of writing, were more inclined to purchase and hold than they have been for some time. They wer e not inclined, however, to raise the prices, but the fact of a willingness being displayed to buy will have a tendency to harden th© market and so firm values. Referring to his cable advice of ruling prices, Mr Cameron says that the great range in values has naturally made it somewhat difficult to give a clear indication in his weekly cables of the aver® age prices ruling for mutton. With “Canterbury” ranging from 4d to 2£d it was somewhat difficult to strike a fair average. About 3*-d would possibly at the time of writing be a fair average quotation. Mr Cameron expresses a doubt as to whether the average price will prove satisfactory, but knowing that farmers generally sell their sheep at an average price rather than at so much, according t© grade, an average price should be the best guide for them when doing business. While the mutton market was dull, Mr Cameron finds pleasure in reporting that the lamb trade continued steady, and, if anything, showed a slight improve*ruent. Tli e weather was hot, and altogether favourable for its consumption. The quality of New Zealand lamb this vear had been good, but excess in weight had been complained of. There was a scarcity of prime lambs of from 301 b to 381 b. Light prim© lambs commanded a ready sale at about sjd to while “ heavier ” were being sold down to 4.Vd. Th e quantity being received show® ed an increase over those received last year, but the distribution throughout the country continued good; There was every prospect of prices keeping steady during the season, especially for the lighter weights. Beef, Mr Cameron reports, was in. small demand, the weather being rather hot for its consumption. Prices wer® consequently lower. There was, at th® time of writing, excellent New Zealand beef at Smithfield of prime breed and quality.