FROZEN PORK INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1931, Page 6

FROZEN PORK INDUSTRY.

At last it seems as though a definite step has been taken towards developing an export trade in pork. That Great Britain can absorb huge supplies of this commodity is well known, as is the fact that it is the Dominion’s chief rival in the butter market, Denmark, that supplies the lion's share of the pork imports into the United Kingdom. The Danes have won this position in the same methodical fashion in which they have developed their butter sales. They have studied the desires of the British consumer, they have set themselves io comply with these in every way, and they have regarded continuity of supply as equally important to suitability of earcase. If New Zealand desires to obtain a sure footing in the British market she must adopt the same principles. It should be easier to do so here than in Denmark, for, with the one exception of being farther from the United Kingdom, the natural conditions here for pig raising are far more favourable than those in Denmark. The first essential to achieving as good results as their competitors lies in the producers of New Zealand supplying a suitable carcase, and. the best way to ensure this is by payment according to grade, a system that has now been adopted. With all its imperfections, the value of the grading system in both the frozen meat and the dairy industry is admitted by everyone, and that it has done much to stimulate the production desired by the British market is undoubted. Hitherto the pig raiser who has endeavoured to supply more suitable animals for the export trade has had the disappointment of seeing his stock valued simply by weight, and the farmer who has taken no special pains has received as much for his pigs as the one who has tried to study the market. The new decision, arrived at by agreement between producers, curers and the State officials, will alter this. In future payment will be by grade as well as weight, and the additional value obtainable should compensate for extra care in breeding and feeding. Provided suitable animals are bred thepe is no reason why the new method of payment should not have results as satisfactory in the pork trade as the same system has given in regard to mutton and lamb.