MEAT PRODUCTION

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20690, 28 December 1938, Page 8

MEAT PRODUCTION

INCREASE LAST YEAR BTGGER BRITISH IMPORTS WORLD CONSUMPTION OF BEEF The total amount of meat entering world trade showed a large increase last year, according to the latest report on meat, just published by the Imperial Economic Committee. World exports of beef were considerably greater than in 1936 and there was an increase also in those of mutton, lamb and pig meat. Imports into the United Kingdom increased, the total costing nearly £B-5 millions as compared with £77 millions in 1936, while borne production after a period during which there was a steady upward movement, declined slightly. World production and consumption of beef cannot yet be accurately determined for 1937 but probably exceeded even the high figures attained in the preceding year; the quantity entering international trade amounted to nearly 10 million cwt and was greater than in any year since 1928. The United Kingdom's imports of beef again increased, with a larger proportion .29 per cent.) of the total coming from Empire sources, but the United Kingdom as a market for world exports declined in relative importance since larger quantities were taken also by most European importing countries. Tiie production of beef and veal in Great, Britain which had increased by over H million cwt between 1930 and 1936, declined slightly in 1937, but accounted for nearly one-half of total supplies. The per head consumption of beef and veal is estimated at 691 b., as against 701 bin 1936.

World's Mutton Exports World exports of mutton and lamb, which for several years had been declining, recovered to some extent in 1937 when there was an appreciable increase in imports into the United Kingdom, almost the sole market for this class of meat. Over 80 per cent of these imports were of Empire origin, as against 70 per cent in 1931; lamb accounted for 78 per cent of the total. With larger imports, the consumption of mutton and lamb increased slightly to nearly 301 b per head, in spite of a further fall in the home output. World pig meat production declined in 1937 owing mainly to a reduction in killings in the United States but production in that country and in Europe should expand in 1938-39. Trade in pig meat is still dominated by the United Kingdom’s imports of bacon and hams, which recovered slightly in 1937 after a heavy reduction in the four preceding years: the share ol Empire countries in this trade has risen from 5 per cent in 1932 to 29 per cent in 1937, but Denmark still supplies nearly one-half of the total. On the other hand, about four-fifths of the United Kingdom's imports of pork last year were of Empire origin. Pig meat production in Great Britain in 193*7 fell below the record figure attained in 1936, but was well above the average for other recent years. The decline in the home output was practically offset by the increase in imports so that consumption was again almost unchanged at 421 b per head.

Higher Price* In a survey of meat prices the report notes a marked increase in quotations for both home-produced and imported beef in 1937, when the latter averaged well above the corresponding figures for 1931. A somewhat similar though less marked movement occurred also in prices for mutton, lamb and pig meat. in all classes, however, the increase has not been maintained during 1938, quotations for home-produced mutton and lamb having been subjected to an especially sharp decline during the current year.