Frozen Meat Market

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 8491, 26 May 1904, Page 1

Frozen Meat Market

The Colonial Consignment and Distributing - Company's market report for April 22nd contains the following:—New Zealand Mutton.—Canterbury sheep aTe very scarce indeed, and 4|d per lb is readily obtainable for carcases of suitable weight and prime quality. It is sible to buy lines, and stocks are hardly sufficient for the demands of the country trade. Dunedin and Southland sheep are not seen on the market, and are not quoted in the country price lists. As has now been the' case for some time past, North Island mutton constitutes by far the largest proportion ef supplies, and the value of these has been kept steady. Light carcases, under 601bs, are most in request, and have'commanded a premium at a firm 4.U1 per lb. Average weight carcases are also firm at and heavy sheep sell at 4d to per lb. Ewes are saleable at 3-|d per lb. It is interesting to note that while Canterbury mutton, in spite of its scarcity, is only id per lb dearer than at the same time last year, North Islands command nearly id per lb more money. The supplies afloat are by no means heavy, and there seems no reason why present prices should not be maintained. Frozen Lambs. —The supplies received to date, show, contrary to anticipations, a small increase of about 33,0C0 carcases over the receipts to the corresponding date last year, but, whereas at that time the value of lambs was moving steadily downward, at the present moment it is quite firm. At the beginning of the month sales were being pressed in spite of a dull demand, ana many Canterbury lambs changed hands at 5d per lb and under. About this time it became generally accepted that after the arrival of the heavy cargoes afloat (amountiner to upwards of 500,000 carcases) subsequent shipments would be on a lighter scale than last season. This served to restore confidence, and, at the same time, a spell of bright warm weather led to a marked expansion in the demand, with a satisfactory effect on prices. Canterbury lambs gradually advanced m value to_s B d per lb for prime light weights - Dunedins are now making 5d to s|d per lb, and North Islands 4Zd to sd. Quotations for all classes are firm, and with a progressive demand prices should be. maintained.