FROZEN MEAT TRADE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 219, 4 June 1918, Page 8

FROZEN MEAT TRADE

liEVIEW OF THE 1017 SEASON. Me«TS. W. Weddel and Co., Ltd., iu thai* Ahirfjfitlj smqual jotaow ei the fro-

sen metit trade for the year 1917, state: "No 'free' market for imported meats existed during tho greater part of th« past year. Tho fixing of maximum prices—both wholosalo'arid retail—tended to make distribution largely a matter of accountancy in many cases, although the methods adopted by the Government involve more labour than formerly, not less. Australian and New Zealand beef was ontirely absent from the market, while mutton and lamb from both these sources were sold throughout at the samo maximum prices, Patagonian sheep and lambs also wero strictly controlled in price. The 'free' meats which were marketed comprised the civilian imports from the Argentine Republic and Uruguay (consisting of chilled beef, frozen mutton and lamb), also limited quantities of U.S.A., Canadian, South African, and Brazilian frozen bee!', but theso also wore all subjected to tho maximum price orders.

"On average, prices wero again higher than in the preceding year, not so much because supplies were less than usual as because consumption on tho part of the classes earning high wages was beyond tho normal. The average of quotations over tho whole year was 24 per cent, higher than in 1.916, despite tho action of successive Minister of Food in fixing maximum prices at levels lower than would have been arrived at on a. free market. Tliese certainly checked the advancing tendency, whatever other less satisfactory res.ills mav bo ascribed to the adoption of that policy.

"Tho quantities imported of "each description are not known exactly, but in aggregato they wore about 550,000 tons (or 3 per cent, more than in 1916). They cempare with 533,811 tons in lfllfi, C62,f1?5 tons in 1915, and 691,427 tons in 1914. "Tho world's export output of frozen and chilled beef, mutton and lamb in 1917 is estimated at 905,000 tons as against 913,380 tons in 191G, 881,075 tons in 1915, and 800,375 tons in 1914—a steady ratofof expansion which must be considered very satisfactory under war conditions. From theso' yearly totals about 386,000 tons, 381.5G9 tons, 218,150 tons, and 105,948 tons respectively were diverted to markets other than tho United Kingdom.

"The opinion is held almost universally- that after the war there will be n scramble amongst all the big consuming countries of the world and/some of the smaller nations which have not previously been importers of meat, for a share in the world's exportable surplus. High prices are anticipated as a consequence of the keen competition to be looked for under such circumstances; and fears are freely expressed that tho available supplies will fall far short of the requirements of a Continent which for some years has been reduced to very modest rations, under the stress of war.

"Tho outlook for supplies- is, however, more than hopeful; plenty is almost assured. The producing countries of tho world in Australasia, South America, North America and also South Africa are being favoured with good seasons as 'a- rule; they are all well supplied with refrigerating plant, and stock is nowhere scarce. The only problem remaining to be Bolved is transport, and oven that is not bv anv means unsatisfactory.

"The meat export trade of the world appears to have seft.'ed down, under war conditions, to a volume of business some : what in excess of the 1913 aggregate; and although' it runs into many new channels, there is still a very _krge mass of imports Teaching Great Britain."