ENGLISH BACON IMPORTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19846, 21 May 1927, Page 21 (Supplement)

ENGLISH BACON IMPORTS

A STANDARD TYPE FOUND CAPTURED BY DENMARK. The bacon trade of England has been practically captured by the Danes owing to the attention given by the Danish farming community to the raising of a standard type of pig for curing purposes. Only the class of bacon that is required is exported, and in consequence a vigorous demand has been established for the produce. In the same way Holland has increased her grip on Britain’s pork trade. She has been steadily consolidating her position in tho last two years, and making it more difficult for other exporting countries to share in the trade. Statistics show that the consumption of pork, both fresh and frozen, in England is increasing, and that supplies from America and Canada, which countries export frozen pork—the type in which Australia would be chiefly interested—are declining.

In the year 1923 Britain’s total imports of pork, fresh and frozen, was 1,016,599 cwt., and of this the United States of America contributed 291,539 cwt. Two years later the quantity imported had increased to 1,238,240 cwt., yet the American contribution had dwindled to 129,657 cwt. The Argentine’s share had also declined. Several other exporting countries improved their position in the two years, the greatest headway being made by Holland, which chiefly exports fresh pork. In 1923 Holland contributed 342,385 cwt. out of the total of 613,134 cwt. of fresh pork purchased by the British public outside their own country. Two years later she furnished 819,843 cwt. of the fresh pork imports, which aggregated J,013,485cwt. The. value of her exports of this commodity advanced from £1,801,453 in 1923 to £4,122,182 in 1925. These impressive figures have been built up in a country less favourably situated for the production of pig meat than Australia, but having an advantage over the Commonwealth as far ns marketing facilities are concerned. The secret of success has been the businesslike manner in -which the trade has been organised. The Dutch people have maintained their produce at an oven standard of quality, and their supplies have been regular. Those are the two main factors that New Zealand pig-handling firms will have to consider if they desire to participate in the trade, and gradually extend, their operations.