EXPORT OF EGGS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20298, 7 May 1934, Page 7

EXPORT OF EGGS.

Success of Canterbury Shipments. EXTENSION OF MARKETS. The success of the egg export season lr*st year and the plans of the Canterbury Egg Export Committee to reduce the expenses of exporting and to extend its operations to new markets were subjects commented on this morning by the chairman of the committee, Mr C. Fergusson. “ There is no doubt that the export of eggs last year was a great success,” said Mr Fergusson. “ During the tenweekly period from the middle of August to the end of October, 145,140 dozen eggs were despatched from Canterbury, and more would have been sent had it not been for the great difficulty experienced in getting shipping space. In this connection it is hoped, with the arrival of new shipping lines, that there will be more space available during the next exporting period. “ The eggs, with exchange at 24 per cent on the London market, realised 16.645 d per dozen, and the expense involved in putting the eggs from the grading depot on to the London wharves were 6.024 d per dozen. The result was that the producers were able to get approximately 10 2-3 d per dozen for their eggs, whereas the highest price during the exporting period obtained on the local market for first .grade eggs was lOd. The Local Market. “ Apart from the success of the shipments last year, the exporting policy of the committee had the effect of taking the large surplus of eggs off the local market, and of keeping the local prices at a more satisfactory level. Indeed, had the export not been arranged by the various egg agents in Christchurch, through the Exporting Committee, the price of eggs would have been so low that many poultry producers would have been forced out of business. “ There is no doubt that, with the production of eggs in Canterbury, and in New Zealand, exports will be regular each season in future, as more eggs are being produced than the Dominion can consume. It is imperative that they should be cleared during the months when they are most plentiful. The selling agents during the past export season endeavoured to keep the prices on the local market as near as possible to those ruling on the London market, so that the local users would not be penalised through the exporting operations. “ Arrangements are already being made to start exporting in good time next August,” added Mr Fergusson. “ An endeavour is to be made to bring the expenses of marketing the eggs below’ the figure of last year. Then again, it suitable ships from Lyttelton can be obtained, larger quantities of eggs will be sent overseas. It is also the intention of the Exporting Committee to send trial shipments to the West Coast of England and to Glasgow. providing arrangements can be made with the shipping companies to take the supplies direct. Expenses Reduced. “ Compared with a year ago the expenses of marketing the eggs have been reduced by nearly id, and with two years ago by approximately sd. The net return in Christchurch before the exchange was increased was 9id a dozen, and two years ago lid a dozen. Of course the exchange has been helpful in increasing the price this year, but. at a lower rate of exchange, exporting would have taken place, as it was imperative to clear the surplus supplies outside of New Zealand.”