BRITAIN’S MEAT SUPPLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20644, 16 February 1929, Page 9

BRITAIN’S MEAT SUPPLY.

SMITHFIELD FIGURES/ (From Our Own Correspondent.) ' LONDON, January 5. Supplies of meat, poultry, etc., to the Central Markets. Smithfield, for the 12 months ended December aggregated 470,161 tons, and when compared with the corresponding 12 months of 1927 489,290 tons—show a decrease of 19,129 tons, or 3.9 per cent. The decrease is mainly attributable to short supplies of chilled beef from Argentina, and frozen mutton and lamb from Australia. Of the total supplies, British and" Irish produce formed 27.7 per cent.; Dominion produce, 18.8 per cent.; and the produce of other foreign countries 9.8 per cent. Of the beef and veal supplies Argentina provided 177,738 tons, or 72.2 per cent, of the quantity marketed; Great Britain, and Ireland, 43,144 tons, or 17.5 per cent.; the dominions, 8549 tons, or 3.5 per cent.; and other countries 16,630 tons, or 6.8 per cent. NEW ZEALAND EXPORTS. Mutton and lamb were supplied by New Zealand to the extent of 66,430 tons, or 47.7 per cent, of the quantity marketed. Great Britain and Ireland provided 35,660 tons, or 25.6 per cent.; Argentina, 26,357 tons, or 18.9 per cent.; Australia, G94C tons, or 5 per cent.; and other countries, 3949 tons, or 2.8 per cent. Of the pork and bacon Great Britain and Ireland supplied 36,638 tons, or 75.8 per cent.; the dominions, 1724 tons, or 3.6 per cent.; and other countries, 9985 tons, or 20.6 per cent. Great Britain and Ireland supplied 15,286 tons, or 42 per cent, of the pultry, game, etc.; the dominions, 4515 tons, or 12.4 per cent.; and foreign countries. 16,607 tons, or 45.6 per cent. The percentages for Britain and Ireland, the dominions, and foreign countries are given below;— Mutton Pork and and Poultry, Source of Supply. Beef. Lamb. Bacon, etc. Britain and Ireland .. .. 17.5 25.5 75.8 .42.0 Dominions . . . . 3.5 52.7 3.6 12.4 Foreign countries .. 79,0 21.7 20.6 45.6 Totals . . 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Of the total supplies, beef formed 52.3 per cent.; mutton and lamb, 29.6 per cent.; pork, 10.3 per cent.; and poultry, game, etc., 7.8 per cent.