THE MEAT MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 13

THE MEAT MARKET.

MESSRS GILBERT ANDERSON, LTD. SURVEY- OF THE YEAR. (1 bom Cub Own Cobbespondbnt.) LONDON, December 15. Messrs Gilbert Anderson (Ltd.) have issued their annual trade review. In this they refer to the various labour troubles : which have affected the buying capacity of the public. . The stock returns for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland,- as. at June last show sheep to number: 24,577,300, an increase of 1,065,400; cattle (including milking cows). 8,115,300, an increase of 88,800; and pigs 2,504,550, a decrease of 413,550 The (returns from the.lrish'Free- State as at June 1» 1925, show: Sheep, 2,813,062; cattle, 3,991,358; and. piris,’ 731,500. The quantity of meat sold through the London Central Markets for the 12 months ended September 50, .1926. totalled 446,146 tons, an increase of 13,252 tons compared with the-previous vear. ... Beef and veal amounted to 261,723 tons, as against 254.642 tons, Home grown showing a decrease of 1720 tons and imported an increase of 8801 tons. Mutton and lamb 138,920 -tons, as against 127,590 toils, home-grown and imported. showing increases of 8417 tons and 2913 tons respectively. - Pork, at 45,503. tons, shows a decrease of 5159 tons,, which is mainly accounted for by a falling off of home-grown supplies by 5082- tons. • At the commencement of the period under review the shipping Strike overseas was still without settlement, and with the holdup of supplies.-from Australia- and New -Zealand prices Were forefed to undue levels' which .restricted the deinand—for parcels in store up to' id per lb premium on market prices then current was asked. On the ter-’

minatidn .of the strike m the middle of October, in view of large supplies in sight, sellers became anxious to make progress with sales, buyers lost confidence in- the market, and, with the heavy marketing of home-killed -mutton and lamb in, November. and December, prices fell sharply and stocks began to For some months supplies of old season’s mutton and lamb met a slow trade at a substantial discount on prices quoted for new season’s goods, < ' ' ■ ' ■ During the general strike in May, London was never short of meat. There was a sufficiency of mutton- and lamb in “up town” stores for the requirements of Smithfield, and after a few days a daily convoy svsiem from the docks was organised, jmd this relieved the situation regarding beef supplies. Toward tile end of June the market for lambs eased, arid under considerable pressure from weak holders values were depressed to low levels. Mutton supplies were in small, compass, and prices remained steady., In August prices -or lambs were advanced, and the close of the year finds holders firm with rising market for all descriptions. But the rise in price, if carried too far, may restrict the demand to too great an extent for a satisfactory clearance to be effected, having regard to th-* probability of abundant supplies of home-killed and substantial early shipaments from Australia. ’

The total shipments of frozen and chilled beef from Australia, New Zealand, and South America amounted to 7,477,596 quarters. Chilled beef comprised 78 per cent., as against 72 per cent, for the preceding year. The adverse factors already mentioned had a very serious effect on the marketing of the bulk of the New Zealand supplies, and prices were much below those ruling for the previous season. Prices for lambs fell to low level not touched since December, 1921. The latest sheep returns show a total of 24,547,9; 5, an increase of 357,038 compared with the previous year. The lambing is reported to be well up to average, and, according to advices received, weather conditions generally are favourable. The total shipments of New Zealand mutton for the season were: 1925-26, 2,466,346 careases; 1924-25, 2,164,499; showing .an increase\of 301,847. Average prices of B|d and 8 l-16d in October for Canterbury and North Island, respectively fell to the lowest joint in May. Average for the year z Ifd and 6 7-16 d as against 8 5-16 d and 8 l-16d. The total shipments of New Zealand lamb for the aason were: 1923-26, 5.087,309 arcuses; 1924-25.. 4,329,201; showing an increase of 758,108. Canterbury.—The highest average price was ll|d, .the lowest 8 13-16 d, compared with 13fd and l(l"15-16d for the previous year. The average for the year 9 13-16 d, as against 11 15-16 d. North Island. —Highest average llfd, lowest 8d; previous year 13fd and lOfd. Average for the year 9 7-16 d, as against HJd. The shipments for the seaosn were: — 1925-26, 306,853 quarters; 1924-25, 241,784; showing an increase of 65,069. Quotations were mostly nominal, the average for the year being: Fores 4d, hinds 5 5-16 d. The potential world supplies available of meat continue to expand,' but it is likely ’ that the price factor will govern the quantities forwarded. There is no reason to anticipate a shortage. The economic lifficulties which. resulted from the return to the gold standard and the accompanying fall in prices in nominal currency owing to the increase in the real value or purchasing power of the pound show signs of nassing. Opinions have been expressed, by authorities whose counsels command respect, indicating a favourable view of the future prospects of the great industries in this country when once a satisfactory and enduring settlement is reached in the coal dispute. With increasing trade and less unemployment it is reasonable to look 'or a good demand.