BRITISH PORK MARKET.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1351, 31 January 1912, Page 8

BRITISH PORK MARKET.

WHAT THE HIGH COMMISSIONER SAYS. In October last the Agricultural Department obtained cable information from the High Coniniis»i6ner on the state of the British pork market. The cable read as under:— In reply to your telegram of October IC, frozen" pork prospects are rather less encouraging than last year, as home supplies will be large, and Chinese and Siberian supplies are likely to increase. The High Commissioner has now reported by letter in extension of the above cable. He says: — Last year the supply of pigs from all sources' was less than usual, and consequently prices were high for both porkers and bacon pigs. Bacon, which is imported into this country in a "green state, ready for "smoking," also rose greatly in price, the supply being insufficient'for the ordinary demand. Ihe high prices then obtained resulted in more attention being given in this country to pig-rearing, which, of course, is an industrv capable of rapid development. Pigs in Great Britain ami Ireland this year show a considerable increase in numbers. The carcasses ot pork received from China last year also met with a satisfactory reception, and the prices then realised were such as to encourage continued export from, that country, which is expected this season to increase its shipments. Siberia, likewise, with the development of dairying, and encouraged, doubtless, by recent high prices, is also increasing her export of pork. _ , For some weeks the Homo bacon market has shown signs of weakness, and prices have' been steadily declining, it is expected by those in the bacon tiade thet values this year will be more reasonable than those of 1910. This naturollv affects the , pork market, which has boe.ii weak in sympathy, lor forward shipment I understand that -r.iyers arc not inclined to enter into "onrri:.ts at: more than ■t'.d. per I<>. for fair average 901b. pigs. Good Dutch pigs are :;t present in considerable supply, and are tellin" on Smithfield market at i,d. per lb. Shipment* from Australia n.-w> also increased this season. The enrrent quo, tatinn for New Zealand carcasses ot port: on Smithfield is fid. per lb. The quality is. acknowledged to h? jrcod, and it is possible that a premium over the price paid for good Dutch nigs ought to be obtained for them. Still, (here is no doubt but that the figure received for shinmenls from the Dominion must be ruled by that paid for other qualities. , ■Wording to tho "Meat Trades Journal" of November 23, 1911. the decrease in the imports of fresh iiork into Britain for the ten months ending . October ,n '(355.MG cwt., against 3(16.3*1! cwt. in the corresponding period of ISM was due to he interruption of the Chinese, trade, and. remarked that journal, "having rc-c-ird to the terrible upheaval now wing on in that country, it is impossible io say,when it may be resumed.