Meat Market Report.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 5705, 27 April 1911, Page 1

Meat Market Report.

The report of the Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company, Ltd , dated London, March 10th, contains the following clauses : New Zealand Mutton. —During the four weeks 157,321 carcases have arrived, bringing the total for the year up to 277,724 carcases, and showing the small increase on the previous year of 61,497 oaroases. The small receipts ought to have presented no difficulty to importers, and it is a striking indication of the condition of the trade that the larger proportion should still be store. For the greater part of the period under review, North Island mutton waß held for a substantial premium over Plate meat, but the restricted output compelled holders to accept substantial reductions, with the result that prices show a decline of fully id per lb. Canterbury are too Bcarce to be quoted, but the present value of North Island is only 3Jd to 3|d per lb. These prices have given a small stimulus to the output, and, provided the trado can be held, no further reduction should be necessary. South American Mutton. Full average quantities have come to hand and the receipts for the year now amount to 553,501 carcases, or 151,307 carcases more than at the same date last year. The quotations for this mutton have participated in the general movement, but to nothing

like the same extent as New Zealand. Light weights are very scarce, but are not so firmly held as they were, and can be bought at 3Jd per lb. Heavier carcases are very plentiful and holders are inclined to press sales at about 3d to por lb in London, and down to 2|d per lb for some unusually heavy sheep. The average on provincial markets is a bare 3d per lb.

Australian Mutton.—The arrivals continue heavy, and the receipts Bince January Ist already amount to a total of 765,428 carcases, an increase of 231,038 carcases on last year. These sheep, however, have moved freely, but values have given way within the last few days in sympathy with other descriptions. Good average quality wethers can now be purchased both on London and provincial markets at 2sd per lb, although not all holders are prepared to take this price. Ewes are making 2fd to 2Jd per lb. New Zealand Lamb.—The season opened in very disappointing fashion. The large quantity of 422,669 carcases has already been received, but these goods are receiving very little attention as yet. On the provincial markets buyers are still contenting themselves wilh the better grades of Australian at considerably less money. London values have a steady downward tendency and speculation in forward shipments is on a much lower basis than spot values. Canterbury ranges from to 5Jd per lb, the 381 b grade commanding the most money. North Islands are plentiful and are only worth 4|d to 5d per lb.

Australian Lamb. Arrivals are falling off but a total of 886,048 carcases has come to hand this year. The season’s output will therefore exceed million carcases. Unfortunately a very large proportion are of inferior quality and those have not only been difficult to move but have proved a clog on establishing higher values for the better grades. Several efforts have been made to advance quotations, but without success, as the stocks were too widely distributed, and the closing quotations are no better than 3£d to 4d per lb. Frozen Beef.—The diminution in supplies must be taken in conjunction with the large inorease in the shipments of chilled beef from South America. The latter meat has fully roplucod the deficiency of frozen, and although quotations have been maintained at a fairly satisfactory level throughout the month the amount of business done has been limited by the light stocks. Choice New Zealand beef is in fair request but is scarce, and very little Australian beef is to be Been on offer. Further shipments have come to hand from Venezuela, consisting of 6305 frozen and 238 chilled quarters.