Barriers To Lamb Export

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30975, 3 February 1966, Page 14

Barriers To Lamb Export

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, February 2.

European import levies of up to 2s per lb are blocking efforts to increase lamb sales, says the Auckland meat exporting firm of R. and W. Hellaby, Ltd., in a lamb marketing survey.

The survey lists three major barriers to expanding markets for lamb:— Most people in the world prefer beef, pork and poultry to lamb. Most countries restrict meat imports and impose heavy duties, taxes and veterinary restrictions.

Ships require minimum cargoes ranging from 250 to 500 tons before they will call at many ports.

The survey says the removal of such trade restrictions is the first essential before any sales promotion could be justified. Greece was the only European country which had lifted trade barriers and exporters had sold more lamb there in the last three years than to any other country. In the 1963-64 season when conditions were dry in New Zealand a large number of

small, lean lambs were available for the Greek market, which, in fact, took more lamb than the United States. The survey says the change to smaller lambs had allowed New Zealand exporters to sell increasing numbers without a marked increase in tonnage. “The key to successful marketing,” it says, “is always to supply the customers with what they want.”