THE EXPORT EGG MARKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1930, Page 11 (Supplement)

THE EXPORT EGG MARKET.

CAN NEW ZEALAND COMPETE? Those with visions of a profitable export trade in eggs are woefully deceived if led to believe that duty free wheat is the key to success An absolute negative to this suggestion is contained in “A Survey of the Poultry Industry in New Zealand.” issued by the Farm Eeonomiee Section of the New Zealand Department of Agriculture. . The survey states: "It would not be to the. advantage of poultry-farmers to be forced to rely on outside sources for the total food supply Although a saving might. be effected, on wheat, the supply of bran and pollard (both are duty free) would be difficult to maintain. Any action which is calculated to upcet the supply of these byproducts would seriously affect tiie poultry industry.” After reviewing the trend of Aus- ' tralian prices tor bran and pollard over six years, the report continues: •‘lt will be seen that bran and pollard prices, f.o.b. Australian ports, range from 10s ’to 35s per ton lower than Christchurch quotations. When freight, wharfage, exchange, marine insurance ■ and primage (since repealed) are i

added, Australian offal cannot be landed at a cost appreciably lower than South Island supplies, unless bought in bulk at the right time. Supplies arc not always available, and bran and pollard do not keep well for protracted periods.”

In order to assure the poultry industry supplies of bran and pollard it is necessary, therefore, that wheat shall continue to be grown in New ZealandThe facts regarding tlie cost of egg production in relation to the price of wheat are also illuminating. Mr. 7-’. J. Fawcett, 1v1.A., Farm Economist of 'lie Department of Agriculture, .gave the following evidence before the Wheat Industry Committee which was appointed last year by the Government,. Mr. Fawcett, in tlie course of aieontprchemtivei Burtey; -of- the' -poultry: Andustrf,- (mentioned' that- a\jx-ductioheoi ‘

Is per bushel in the price of wheat would reduce the cost of eggs by less than lid per dozen. This was in the case of the poultry specialist only who was compelled to purchase all food requirements. In cases where fowls ran in the open and were fed on scraps the ■ reduction would be less. i Reverting to the Survey of the ■ Poultry Industry in New Zealand, the [ average food costs per dozen eggs proi duced are given as follows: —12.7 M ) for flocks of under 209, up to 14 35d I for flocks of over 2000. The approximate freight on eggs to * London is 3|d per dozen. Wastage and | other charges bring the cost to over Gd per dozen. Last year’s average London price realised was from Is 3d to Is Id. The reason for the poultry industry asking for a Government subsidy for their export trade' is therclorc apparent. The competition to be faced is most formidable. Denmark, for instance, sells at from lOd dozen in spring up to Is bld in winter. The average • price, according to this year’s February issue of the Danish Foreign Office Journal, was Is 2-14<1 for 1928 and Is 2.375 d for 1929. Quite obviously the outlook for our egg export trade does in no w:sa warrant the withdrawal of the protection vital to the very necessary existence of our wheat industry.—Pubiishc-d by arrangement.