WIDE POTENTIAL MARKETS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 219, 15 September 1928, Page 22 (Supplement)

WIDE POTENTIAL MARKETS

New Zealand Need Not Fear the Future A London importer who passed through this country recently expressed the opinion that New Zealand producers need have no fears about exhausting overseas markets. He was referring particularly to butter and 'cheese. Experience over recent years has shown also, that there are wide potential markets awaiting steady development and that, despite fluctuations in prices, which are inevitable from time to time, New Zealand farmers can go on increasing production without fears as to .the future.

The experience of Denmark particularly over the last quarter of a century should provide a tonic for the pessimist who forecasts restricted markets. Den mark has been gradually building up its export trade over recent years, practically dominating the t'ontinental and English markets for farm, produce. Yet even to-day, prohibited from sending further supplies of fresh pork into England, she has proved it possible to quickly develop an outlet in other directions, and, in addition increase production.

In the past there has certainly been a tendency to overrate the lessons Denmark has to teach, but there is no doubt that in the field of marketing that country has still much to show the rest of the primary producing world. New Zealand has even greater opportunities of developing fresh markets than Denmark. Despite the fact that this country is fa'r away from the principal centres of population. New Zealand has cheaper farm lands and possesses a climate infinitely above that of any Continental country. In regard to developing markets, the operations of the various control boards, and one or two private co-operative organisations such as the Amalgamated Dairies have proved what can be done. In the East, Japan is taking larger quantities of our wool every year, and shipments of dairy produce to those parts promise to show big increases in the, near future. Apples this year have gone from these shores to both continents of America.

Besides holding a dominating position in the dairy produce trade Denmark is a big factor in the Continental fresh meat trade. Official figures published by the Danish authorities show that, notwithstanding the embargo on exports of fresh pork into Great Britain, the number of pigs slaughtered in export abattoirs in 1927 exceeded those handled in 1926 by about 1,260,000. The number of cattle showed a decline, but the figures for calves remained practically unchanged. The fact to be noted, however, is that despite an embargo on a large section of her export business, the country was able to find an avenue for a considerably increased output. The following table is interesting not only on account of the fact that it shows the extent of Denmark’s export trade in frozen meat, but also because it reveals the even manner in which the shipments are spread over the year.

It all appears to be a question of degree and education. The day is far distant when talk of exhausted markets as far as our stable products are concerned will be reasonably viewed with alarm. For the present the question must be one of increased production of lines already finding a steady market, and the gradual expansion and development of new markets.

i Pigs. Fat Cattle. Calves. Sacking Calves. 1925 .. 3.766,129 240,193 158,092 100,664 1926 3,837,666 211,484 175,366 108,249 1927— January 384.030 12,768 12,608 8,316 February 345,277 12,117 12,710 9.749 March 478,263 12,835 14,937 17,205 April 379,619 11,956 15,789 12.768 May 424,148 12,278 17,142 10,125 June . . 483,086 10,756 16,559 8,077 * —. ~ —. _ — 1st half 2,494,423 72,710 89,745 66,240

July .. 380,662 8,973 14.782 6,917 Aujrust 441,973 12.237 17,152 6.402 September 439,098 13,178 15,841 7,340 October 423,085 11,809 14,107 7,616 November 446,151 13,012 14,161 9,525 December 472.814 10,384 12,178 9,278 2nd half year 2.603,783 69,593 88,221 47,078 Total 5,098,206 142,303 177,966 113,318