LONDON MEAT MARKET

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1788, 29 July 1926, Page 5

LONDON MEAT MARKET

MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD ADVICES. BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR PORK. A recent report on the meat market, received by the New Zealand Producers’ Board from its London manager by the last mail, contains the following:— Owing to the stoppage of Dutch imports, the demand for New Zealand frozen pork has been very brisk indeed and prices have advanced about Id per lb. Stocks, however, are very short, but it looks as if we shall have good prices realised for all consignments now on the water. It is rather disappointing to see that the shipments of New Zealand frozen pork are lower this year than last year, as I had hoped for an increase, especially as the prices this season have been comparatively satisfactory. As far as I can see, the present embargo on Continental pigs is likely to last for a year or two, and some day it will be a practically permnen't prohibition. As the Dutch imports during the last year or two have been in the* neighbourhood of 35,000 tons ner year I do not think it is likely that the British farmers can make up this deficiency, so this leaves a very good market for any country that can supply pork. I thing it can therefore be reasonably assumed.that the. price for fresh pork is likely to be a high one as long as the embargo lasts, and New Zealand frozen will therefore benefit in the same proportion. I hope that our producers will endeavour to increase the supply of pigs fit for export, as I consider this is a great opportunity. Lately I have been in communication with Sir William Hardy, who is the director of the low temperature station of research at Cambrdge, and he has agreed,, if he can obtain additions ito his scientific staff, to take up the question of the* freezing pork for curing. I am also getting him to go into the question of curing pork by brine immersion and chilling, which would enable the pork to be brought over in a chilled condition. I believe this practice is followed* on the Coninent—Poland and other countries—and I 'understand that South Africa is sending a small trial shipment this month. I have been promised full details as to the result of this experiment, and upon .receipt of same I shall immediately advise you. Quite apart, however, from any new method of sending over pork, I consider 'that the prospects for frozen pork, particularly for porkers, are very bright indeed.