FROZEN MEAT TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18748, 29 December 1922, Page 10

FROZEN MEAT TRADE

MESSRS GILBERT ANDERSON’S ANNUAL REVIEW. NEXT SEASON S PROSPECTS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 16. In issuing their annual trade report Messrs Gilbert _Anderson and Co. point out that the year under review represents the firet full year since the Imperial Government trading price control came to an end. The quantity of meat sold through the London Central Mkarkets for the 12- months ending September 30, 1922, was 432,230 tons, an increase of 55,542 tons compared with the previous year. Home-grown shows an increase of 12,751 tons,: and imported shows an increase of 42.791 tons. The total shipments of New Zealand mutton for the season were: —1321-22, 2,883,000 carcases; 1920-21, 5,337,160 carcases; showing a decrease of 2,454.160 carcases. The average prices for Canterbury and North Island mutton which for October were 6Jd and SJd weakened to and 5 l-16d respectively lor December.' In January prices advanced vapidly to the highest point of the year, April, when the average prices were: Canterbury 8 5-16 d, North Island 7 13-16 d. The market closed strong with average prices of 7 5-16 d and 6 11-16 d. The averages for the year were: Canterbury 6Jd, North Island egd. The total shipments of New Zealand lamb for the season were: 1921-22, 4,758,677 carcases; 1920-21, 4,102j642 carcases; showing an increase of 656,135 carcases. The heaviest shipment waa 754,009 carcases in .May. Arrivals from March to July were 3,243,925 carcases, or 78 per cent, against 47 per cent, for the corresponding period of the previous year. Average prices which for October were Canterbury &|d, North Island BSd, fell to 7Jd and 6 X3-16d for December; in April they wore lljd and 11 3-16 d. Tho market closed firm with the highest monthly average of 11 11-16 d for' Canterbury and 11 3-16 d North. Island. The averages lor tho year were; Canterbury 10 5-16 d, North Island 9 15-X6d. ' Tho total shipments of New Zealand beef for tho season were: 1921-22, 378,500 quarters ; 1920-21, 656,282 quarters, showing a decrease of 277,782 quarters For -msw season’s beef tho highest average waa: 4|d fores, 6 3-16 d hinds in October. The lowest 2Jd and 4d for May. For old season’s the average for October was; 3Jd fores, Sid hinds. Tho last quotations were for July-— 1 viz., 2£d and 3Jd. Tho averages for tho year were: Fores 3 3-16 d, hinds 4 11-16 d. REGULATION OP SHIPMENTS. Tho strike of slaughtermen towards tho close of the South Island, season did not affect 7 the market adversely. The monthly shipments from Now Zealand left little to bo desired/ It must be remembered that there would have been a totally different complexion in the market if the South American companies had not ceased, to all intents and purposes, to operate in mutton and lamb after June, It is desirable to have a continuance of supplies sufficient to meet the demand until the arrival of new season’s mutton and lamb. To this end Messis Gilbert Anderson and Co. cannot recommend too strongly the regulation of shipments after March so as to spread tho supply over tho remainder of the year, particular care being taken not to have heavy arrivals of lamb in August. With the exception of one or two companies little progress was made in the reduction of tho number of sub-marks on bills of lading. All connected with the trad© will welcome the steps taken by the Meat Producers’ Board to eliminate tho multiplicity of sub-marks by the enforcement of a minimum quantity of 309 carcases under one mark per B/Lading. The amount of handling' with resultant damage will be reduced to a minimum and ihjs will be reflected eventually in lower coats of insurance cover. With supplies at present short, tho early shipments of new season mutton and lamb should meet a good market. Much will depend on whether the high range of values coupled with the restricted spending power of the public will cause the demand to fall off. However, provided stocks are not allowed to accumulate and there is some regulation of shipments after March, the prospects for next season appear to be good.