SMITHFIELD MARKET

Press, 23 April 1979, Page 20

SMITHFIELD MARKET

The carry-over effect of i the traditionally strong, de■mand for poultry products lover the Easter period resulted in a disappointing I sale of New Zealand lamb ion Smithfield last week, re- ! ports the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board in its i weekly market survey. This I resulted in a fractional easing of prices. However, prices and offtake in the country have re■mained firm, and Smithfield lvalues are expected to appreciate over the next few weeks. i Prices for lamb on ’Smithfield, with the variation on the previous week, were:— Price Var’n P P per lb per lb PL .. 49.0-50.0 n.c. PM 48.0-49.5 n.c. MANUFACTURING BEEF Imported beef prices in I the United States continued

to rise again last week. The average price for New Zealand cow-beef reached 143 United States cents per lb, c.i.f., but this level does not equate in real terms with the record prices paid during the peak period in 1973.

The domestic beef market continues to be very strong land, with daily kills well below last year’s levels, prices are expected to continue to rise. MUTTON There was very little [movement of New Zealand [mutton on the Japanese mutton market last week, I except for a quantity of mf i mutton for May shipment. [At present New Zealand [sellers are quoting small parcels of carcase mutton at up to 71 United States cents I per lb, c. and f. Japan, for I May, June and July shipIment.