THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14972, 20 May 1914, Page 11

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

•Messrs H. S. Fitter and Sous, writing on April 9th, etato:— ''The conditions ruling in tho Scotch and' Home tilled" mutton market aro practically unchanged ; a moderate 6«pply mostly oil tbe-heavy side, causes a ready safe at top prices of small sheep, whilst larger/ones are somewhat difficult,'to ctcAr. Irish,and Dutch mutton is short, , : and ■ old ewes remain firm in

"A moderate supply of English lambs is-coming to hand; small choice ones ere" marking good prices but large ones are.not ih much demand. "New Zealand mutton is now more plentiful, .but the- small proportion o, sma;ll sheep still causes a ..ready sale tor these, where as-big mutton a slow demand . even -at considerably lower prices.' - 1 The Bame remarks apply to owes; "small', weights sell readily,, ™* very, few buyers ask for heavy weiphts. ''j-lioro is a. good demand for >ew Zealand-.lamb, and" considering the increased- : 'quantities Uitcly. a ™™& prices" Have kept up .fairly well. J IIO High'prices-quoted early, in the eenaon did -not leave much margin- of profit to ;the retailer in the-provinces,. *o naturally lie turned "his attention to something '(such as cliilled Argentii.o beet) >which showed better results. Now, however, with somewhat, easier pncea the 1 demand in the provinces is improving, and prospects for the future nro decidedly more satisfactory. The qu.alityi'of tbo New Zealand lambs is, generally," about the average; some of the small ones, probably owing to a wet season, are; hot * quite fat enough, and the dressing in so mo cases might be improved on', However, there is at present a good proportion of small selling weights./and'these are always saler nble both in London and the provinces. Te£s are ;rnaking - a very fair market. • "There has-been a heavy supply of chilled Areentino beef, and prices have dropped. Unfortunately one of the boats had! a. breakdown Ro.rne time, ago, and was, considerably delayed. An endeavour' was made to save her cargo by freezing'it up, but only a portion of it wa« : saleable,, and this when put into the market- Inst- week realised vrry.low prices,' and hn<\ a depressing effect on the market. Under the circumstances, it is t nqt: surprising ..that there is not imuch "demand for frozen beef. , '