WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1927, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. [ (Speciul to “ Guardian.”) ‘ WELLINGTON, May 2. The annual review of the meat trade issued by Messrs W. Weddel and Co. is always both interesting and instructive. The review for 1926 states that the frozen meat trade suffered severely during the greater part of the year from the effects of the prolonged coal stoppage. With supplies heavier than before, it was inevitable that prices should be reduced drastically in order to meet the lower purchasing power of the public. But another factor was the serious decline in the demand fot imported meat all over the Continent. The imports of frozen meat into the Continent last year were 305.500 tons, while in 1921 it was as high as 476,000 tons. Another disorganising incident In the meat trade last year was the embargo placed upon the importation of fresh meat from countries affected by foot-and-mouth disease. This offec* tuallv put a stop to all shipments of pork, mutton and veal from Holland and other countries. In an attempt to profit by the anticipated shortages, Australia, New Zealand and River Plate .shippers sent considerable quantities of frozen pork and veal, but the quality of the goods proved unsuitable as a substitute for the fresh-killed article, and most of the imports had to bo sold for manufacturing purposes at unremunerative rates. Taking 300 as indicating the average of frozen and chilled meat prices in 1913, the index figure for 1926 was 134 as compared with 160 for 1925, 153 for 1924, and 117 for 1923. 'The average price for imported meat, was 16 per cent less than in 1925. and only 31 per cent above the pre-war level. The firm reports that the supplies of mutton wore almost constantly in excess of the demand and difficulty was experienced throughout the year in disposing ot anything except best quality small weight carcases, which at times were rather scarce. With public sentiment turning against this class of meat, prices had to bo made very tempting especially for the heavier carcases. The prices ruling for lamb throughout the whole year were very considerably lower than lias been the case lor several years. Forward buyers of lamb experienced a trying time. Large quantities of Australian lamb, bought at about 9d per lb c.i.f. had to he sold after arrival at a loss of anything up to Id per lb. Generally reduced supplies of frozen beef from practically all sources were amply counterbalanced by a large increase in chilled heel from the River IMate. The shipments of chilled beef from South America were not only much greater as regards the number of quarters, but, as the result of the excellent seasonal conditions in the Argentine and Uruguay, the average weight of the quarters was considerably greater than usual. The estimated amount of Heme-killed beef, mutton and lamb available lor consumption last year was 1,105,600 tons, which with the addition of the imports of refrigerated and fresh-killed meat (less re-exports) brings the estimated total consumption of meat in the United Kingdom last year up to 2,055,023 tons as compared with 2,002,133 tons in 1925. the proportion being 53.8 per cent Home-grown, and 46.2 nor cent imported. Pork and bacon are not included in the figures. The total weight of beef, mutton and lamb exported in 1926 by the various freezing works of iho world is estimated at 1,198.606 tens, as compared with 4,338,900 tons in 1925, 1,328,100 tons in 1924 and 1,140,800 tons in 1923. Discussing the outlook flic review states that whatever happens, supplies of mutton and lamb will in all probability be greater than ever. Sheep in the British isles have been growing m numbers at the rate of a million a year for the past three years, and it is reasonable to expect therefore that Home-grown mutton and lamb will be plentiful, especially in the autumn months. Homo supplies of beef during the year will he normal. On account of the lower values for beef New Zea- ! land and Brazil are practically out ot 1 the running as exporters. lavourablG j weather conditions continue in both i M>o Argent ire and Uruguay and sup- | plies from there are likely to bo mainI • Hir'd. With respect to the demand il i I h re is one thing that stands out • cure clearly than anything else in the , experience of the past year, it is the carvacitv of the British public to increase its eonsumpton of meat immediate!',- prices are brought dojvn low 1 enough. The review puts up a defence 1 for the retail butchers, who have been ' accused of failing to pass, on to the consumer the benefit oi the wholesale prices current during the past year It is claimed that if individual butcher? have been unwilling to meet the market the same cannot he said of the multiple shops, who have reduced theii prices in accordance with the drop n wholesale prices. As there are ovei 31,000 butchers’ shops in Great Britan the natural competition is hound tc prevent undue profits over an ordinary period. How, otherwise in a year ol abnormal trade depression, could the greatly increased quantities of meal imported last year have been disposer of ?'