WORLD’S MEAT TRADE

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1929, Page 14

WORLD’S MEAT TRADE

WEDDEL’S ANNUAL REVIEW

SATISFACTORY YEAR RECORDED.

A GOOD NEW ZEALAND SEASON.

London, May 31.

W. Weddel and Company, Limited, in its annual review, states that without providing any outstanding incident, the year 1928 may be regarded as a satisfactory one by meat producers in most parts of the world. For the London importers and the trade generally, conditions showed some improvement over those of recent years. Market prices in this country were considerably influenced by shorter supplies of homegrown meat, brought about partly by a scarcity of feeding stuffs, and partly by the stoppage of imports of Canadian store cattle.

The year 1928 appears to have been particularly satisfactory for the feeders of cattle in more than one producing country. In the United States, owing to the unprofitable prices to the grower that have prevailed in recent years, a shortage of fat cattle began to develop in the second half of 1927, and became so pronounced last year that Canada’s surplus was absorbed at good prices and considerable quantities of frozen beef were imported from New Zealand.

“Every day, however, that these high prices continued hastened the day when a corresponding swing of the pendulum would take place through increased supplies. “There is no country in the world,” says the report, ‘‘where high prices will produce the goods so quickly as in the United States. Show the American farmer a profit on anything he raises and he appears capable of producing unlimited quantities in a very short time. Therefore if any progress is to be made in inducing the United States to take imported meat more freely, with moderate duties, it is important that no time should be lost.” IMPORTATIONS OF BEEF. The total importation of frozen and chilled beef, mutton and lamb into the United Kingdom during 1928 amounted to 890,334 tons, as compared with 946,776 tons in 1927, a decrease of 56,442 tons, or 6 per cent. This is the first time for five years that the upward trend of imports has been checked. In value, however, last year’s arrivals totalled £50,141,088, or an average of 6d per lb, against a valuation of £46,916,570, or 5.357 d per lb in 1927. With the exception of Argentina, all the exporting countries shipped materially increased quantities, but their combined effort, encouraged by the higher level of values ruling at Smithfield, was insufficient to make up for more than half of the Argentine deficiency. “It has been very obvious throughout the year,” says the report, “that the demand for frozen beef depends almost entirely upon Government requirements. Apart from these, and a few small shipping cpntracts, there is no demand for frozen beef, except to fill temporary gaps, or during the height of the summer when frozen hinds carry better than chilled.”

The total weight of chilled beef received was 478,220 tons, or 42,383 tons (8.8 per cent.) less than in 1927. Frozen beef was 19,099 tons down at 130,900 tons, but frozen mutton and lamb, totalling 286,208 tons, showed a small increase of 5040 tons. The total consumption of -beef, mutton and lamb in the United Kingdom during 1928 is estimated at 1,987,525 tons, of which 1,107,800 tons were Home-grown, and. 879,725 tons were imported, the proportions being 55.7 per cent. Home-grown and 44.3 per cent, imported. The total weight of beef, mutton and lamb exported in 1928 by the freezing works of the world is estimated at 1,059,164 tons, against 1 ? 256,900 tons in 1927 and 1,198,600 tons in 1926. MUTTON’ AND LAMB. The total consumption of mutton from all sources amounted to 5,077,084 carcases, as compared with 5,374,598 carcases in 1927, a decrease of 297,514 carcases, or 5.5 per /lent. The New Zealand total was heavier than in any previous year, and 697,243 carcases greater than the quantity received in 1927. In New Zealand the 1927-28 season was again a very satisfactory one for the producers of New Zealand. The number of cattle killed during the season was nearly double that of 1927. The increase in lambs killed amounted to nearly 600,000 head. The c.i.f. business in lambs was probably more popular than it has been for some years. New Zealand sellers were more reason able in their asking prices, and the good quality of the first arrivals stimulated forward buying. x The year was a remarkably good one for the lamb trade, increased shipments from New Zealand and South America having been absorbed at prices, which cannot but be considered very satisfactory to producers. The quality of the Australian lambs was not quite so good as usual, nor were the quantities quite up to normal. New Zealand and Argentine lambs were well up to the average in quality. LESSENED CONTINENTAL DEMAND. Unfortunately there was a further shrinkage in the demand for imported meat on the Continent. In spite of its 'growing popularity among the working classes, the various European Governments continue to discourage as much as they can by fiscal and other means, any efforts that may be made to provide the people with this cheap and wholesome food. Overseas imports of meat into Continental countries last year amounted to 203,284 tons, against 296,567 tons in 1927, and 316,800 tons in 1926. It is noted that the increased import duties in France had proved almost prohibitive to trade with that country and frozen meat had gradually disappeared from the civilian trade, the bulk of the imports during the year having been used for army and navy supplies. The future in regard to France was uncertain. There had also been a contraction in imports into Belgium but owing to the heavy killings of local cattle last year better trading conditions might be enjoyed i” f J oming year. The decline in the -• o s of frozen beef by Holland had continued, but it was smaller than in tue previous year. So long as prices were reasonable and there was no antagonistic legislation there would continue to be a certain

opening for frozen beef in the Dutch iha rkc t ' PROSPECTS FOR 1929. The report adds:—“ln the producing centres conditions look promising. Home supplies of meat should be more or less normal. Some increase in supplies from Ireland and Scotland is expected, especially if the weather should prove favourable for finishing the stock in the early summer. “Shipments of frozen and chilled beef from South America to the United Kingdom are not likely -to be heavier than last year —if anything they will be lighter, ow'ing to the higher prices of cattle in the producing countries. Present indications point to Patagonia being a heavy shipper of lambs, possibly also of ewe mutton. “Both Australia and New Zealand are enjoying favourable weather conditions, and, if there is no setback, the output will be heavier than last year. Tallin" the trade as a whole, ample supplies of lamb may . be. anticipated, with slightly less mutton. This, however, is only reflecting the public taste. Mutton has been much less. in favour for some years past, and it is doubtful whether smaller supplies—unless the difference is substantial—will haxe any material effect upon values