LAMBS FOR EXPORT

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1931, Page 16

LAMBS FOR EXPORT

ENGLISH CHRISTMAS TRADE. PLANNING EARLY SHIPMENTS With the promise of fine weather, hopes are held that early l..mbs in the Auckland Province will be brought forward sufficiently to allow good consignments to be placed on the Home market for the Christmas trade. Last year Auckland lambs were first on the market and every effort will be made to achieve the same distinction this year. Generally speaking, there is difficulty, says the New Zealand Herald, in finding sufficient numbers for shipping in November to catch the early trade. During next month the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company will communicate with a number of farmers from whom early lambs are generally obtained. Last year the first killings of lambs were made at the beginning of November and the first shipment was sent by the Rangitata on November 4. This was followed by a consignment on the Hertford, which sailed on November 17. A great deal depends on whether ships are regulated so that Auckland becomes the final port of call, but it is generally found that shipping is no obstacle. An effort is being made by the Gisborne Refrigerating Company to allow Gisborne breeders to participate in the high early prices, and it is expected that the Kaiti freezing works will open a week earlier than last year. During last season both the Kaiti and Taruheru works opened on November 3, but the bulk of the first killings were sheep. The first shipment was made on November 15, but it did not arrive in London until December 27. “There is always an assured demand for early lambs in London at from lOd to IOAd a lb,” said the representative of an exporting firm yesterday. “The price generally holds good until the middle of January, when heavier shipments arrive. The prices obtained after that date are the real test of the market.” No authoritative forecast regarding prices can yet be given, but the good rates ruling for last season’s lambs provide a hopeful sign. It is probable that the reduced spending power of the English people will have its effect upon the later market, but the early shipments always sell readily.