CHILLED BEEF

Wairarapa Age, 7 June 1935, Page 4

CHILLED BEEF

PROGRESS & DEVELOPMENT ON INDUSTRY.

TRADE NOW DEFINITELY ESTABLISHED. LATEST LARGE SHIPMENT FROM WAINGAWA. A shipment of 3000 quarters of chilled, beef will be made at the end of this week by Messrs*<T. Borthwick and Sons, Ltd., from its Waingawa Works.. Practically the whole of the beef has been drawn from the herds of Wairarapa breeders. At about the same time the firm is forwarding a consignment of 1200 quarters from, its works at Feilding. Excluding the consignment to be made this week, the firm, since the beginning of this year, has forwarded ten shipments of chilled beef from Waingawa and one from Feilding.

Further shipments will be made on June 22 and July 3, bringing the total made by Borthwick’s since the first experinJental shipment in February, 1933 to twenty-five. Reports received from Home on consignments forwarded this year have all referred to the quality and dressing of the beef as excellent, while the prices realised have been very satisfactory. As far as Messrs Borthwicks are concerned the chilled beef industry has come to stay and: iis now regarded as commercially successful. Established in New Zealand within the past two years, the chilled' beef industry is rapidly approaching a point when the exports will exceed those of frozen beef quarters. The latest entry into the trade is the Auckland Farmers 9 Freezing Company,. Ltd., which forwarded a consignment to Honolulu last week. The chilled beef trade is now definitely past the experimental stage. It became established practically during the 193334 killing season. During that season, which ended on September 30, 1934, a total of 19,576 quarters of chilled beef was exported, compared with 994 quarters the previous season, all shipments being to London. Already, to the end of April in the current season, 28,415 quarters have been shipped, of which 80 quarters went to Honolulu. The proportion of chilled to frozen beef quarters shipped this season is about 1 to 6, but it is probable that the percentage of chilled beef sent will now increase more rapidly. Some? experts are of the opinion that within, two years the chilled trade will practically supersede the frozen. In- the early stages of the trade, shipments were limited by the shipping accommodation available. Now, however, facilities are being provided on all meat carrying vessels. The governing factor at present appears to be the supply of suitable beef. It is not wished to endanger the success of the trade by sending other than prime, young stock. This aspect is considered very carefully at Waingawa and only the very best type of beef is allowed to reach the chilling The bulk of this week’s shipmcfijKfrom Waingawa will be carried by Federal Line steamer, Durham, which will also carry a consignment to London from the Farmers’ Freezing Company. The remainder of the Wairarapa shipment will be consigned by the Napier Star.

The prime movers in the chilled beef trade were Messrs Borthwicks Ltd., who were followed by Messrs W. and R. Fletcher Ltd. Shipments were later made from the New Zealand Refrigerating Company’s Imlay works, Wanganui, and the National Mortgage works, Longburn, Palmerston North. It is stated that Borthwicks also contemplate shipments in the near future from their works at Waitara. During the current season chilled beef buyers have been very active in securing their requirements, and the higher prices payable have given a firmer tone to the market generally. The shipments of chilled beef being made to Honolulu draw attention to the helpful extension of export markets this season. During the current season to April 30, a total of 3722 quarters of frozen beef has been sent to ports outside the United Kingdom, compared with 1769 quarters in the period lj»t season. The "outside” lamb shipments have been 2233 carcases, against 891 carcases, and, in the boneless beef, 3892 bags, against 6 bags. New York has taken 2904 quarters of frozen beef and 3559 bags of boneless beef, against nil in the previous season.