The Frozen Meat Trade.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 17, 19 July 1895, Page 3

The Frozen Meat Trade.

Mr A. Towers, under date London, June 14th, reports:— The marked general improvement in this trade during the past three weeks has been almost without parallel. Reference to the quotations below will show this. Mutton.— Of Australian mutton available stocks are very small, and for small carcases, 45lbs to 50lbs, there is a strong demand. Certain firms are quoting much below London values to their provincial trade, but for this the firmness would be very marked in the provinces as well as in London Lamb.— The demand for New Zealand lamb this season has been very heavy, probaUy arising froo the fact that large quantities came early in the season and were pressed into consumption at a low figure, and with the summer weather the demand has gone on increasing, and it has been possible during the last two or three weeks to gradually raise the current quotations. I have considerable hope that the present values will bo maintained for the rest of the season . Beef This has participated in a general upward tendency, particularly hindquarters, which had been forced down to a very low level. As long as chilled beef contiuues to be in limited supply there is no reason why frozen beef should be less than it is now. By a little judicious handling, hind-quart-ers should be maintained at 2s 4d for some time to come. The present quotations are:— Mutton— New Zealand, best North Canterbury, 2s 5d to 2s 6d per 8lbs ; New Zealand, medium and good grades, 2s 2d to 2s 3d ; Australian and Queensland sheep, 2s Id to 2s 2d. Lambs— Best North Canterbury, 3s 6d to 3s 7d. Beef- Queensland, hindquarters, 2s 3d ; forequarters, Is 5d to Is 6d.