FROZEN MEAT IN LONDON

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1746, 23 August 1905, Page 58

FROZEN MEAT IN LONDON

" The Colonial Consignment- and Distributing Company’s London market report for 23rd June, states that there as no material change to be reported in the condition of the meat market. Ttade jins again been very quiet, and last week’s pitchings at Smithfield showed a decline of 900 tons on the total for tbe previous week. The warm weather induces buyers to limit their purchases, and the inquiry -set strongly in favour jof small .-joints. English and Scots beef continues to make last prices, although the sale is slow and the coarser parts are going badly. North American chilled beef is rather dearer, and the best hind-quart-ers make up to 6 LBd per lb. Forequarters are quoted at 3fd to 3fd pei lb. These prices make this beef relatively the dearest in the market. South American chilled beef has been in short supply, but more will be available in a dqy or two. Hind-quarters are worth 4 '7-8d to 5d per lb., and fore-quarters 2|d to '3d per-lb. Mutton has-been in moderate supply, and the difficulty in disposing of heavy Sheep continues. Light 6heep are scarce and oommand slightly higher prices. NEW ZEALAND SHEEP. 'The Turakina has just arrived with about '39,000 carcases. The demand for this mutton is still very dull and inactive, but the stocks on hand do not seem to be oppressive. The feature of the situation is the scarcity of light carcases which command a marked premium over the heavier sheep. Quotations for Canterbury brands are almost nominal, owing to the very short supply, and range from 4|d per lb. for a few of the best light carcases, down to 3'74Bd.per lb for heavy sheep. The largest part of the New Zealand mutton sold consists of North Island brands, and in this section there is a slightly firmer tendency. Some holders are still pressing sales, tut 3fd is now the average value for medium weight carcases. Light sheep are held for 4d per lb, and heavy weights can be bought at 3fd. RIVER PLATE MUTTON. Arrivals comprise Parana 16,171 carcases, Hornby Grange .25,100 carcases, Durham 26,900 'carcases, and Devon 16;000 carcases. Competition to sell is responsible for lower prices being accepted for this mutton.. One holder is offering heavy sheep at 27-8 d per lb, and light carcases at 34d per lb. Other importers are asking 4d per lb more, but find their sales much restricted. Provincial values are brought closely into line with London prices by this movement, and the average realised all round is -about 3|d per lb. Australian Mutton.—This meat finds a slow and dragging demand, and last prices are being maintained with difficulty. NEW ZEALAND LAMBS. The Turakina brings about 83,000 car--dases. Although the weather has been very favourable tbe demand has been disappointing, and the output is less than the average for the time of year. Light carcases are most in request, hut are -proportionately scarce. Best grades 0$ ICanterburysl Canterburys are saleable at s{|-d per lb, but .it is -difficult to move .any quantity of the 38Tb grade at 4d per 7 b less. The same remarks apply to North Island car-

cases, which sell at sfd for light weights and sfd to 54d per lb for heavier lambs. Tegs are plentiful, but meet a fair sale at about 5d per lb. Frozen Beef.—Supplies consist of 600 quarters from New Zealand and 34,943 quarters from River Plate. Trade in New Zealand beef is very quiet, and prices are unchanged. River Plate beef is selling readily, but prices are not so firm, particularly in the Provinces, where values are lower than at Smithfield. The quotation in London is 3£d to 3fd hinds, and 2£d to 2fd fores.