THE BACON INDUSTRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 376, 29 April 1910, Page 3

THE BACON INDUSTRY

Writes our Maketawa correspondent: -—I have no doubt the following article will be of interest to farmers generally, and it makes one wonder what are the causes that have prevented a large export -of the cured article to the Old Country in the past few- years. It is certain" that those intimately connected with the bacon industry are not aware of the state, of -affairs as shown per attached article, and it seems as if the time lias arrived for this country to get a foothold in the Home market. I have been unable to get the prices at which the article is retailed, but have no doubt the Agricultural Department will he able to supply same. However, the article, which will .speak for itself, is taken from the Manchester Guardian of February 19th last, is as follows: Many housewives are doubtless wondering why the price of bacon remains so high. Broadly speaking, the world's supplv is not equal to the demand. The United States, the greatest bacon-pro-ducing country, holds a .partial solution to the problem. A few facts and figures speak for themselves. There were on .January Ist in the United States, on..- .I.'J&'.U. ■ ; i..s, compared with 08,R70.000 ten • > ars ago, a shortage of 1.5,034,000. .Moreover, during tile past ten years the population of that country 'has increased in round figures by about twelve millions, and, further, the purchasing power per head has also increased. Thus, more bacon is consumed in America, and there is less for export to this country. Another reason is found at home. In Ireland and England there is a shortage of 37,000 breeding sows, compared with, this time last year. Putting an average litter at ten, it is calculated there will be a shortage of 370,-000 pigs next year. And the position is practically the same in all bacon-producing countries, such as Denmark and IToliand. The price of Wiltshire and Irish bacon is the same at present; in fact, owing to the general scarcity, there is very little difference between the prices for all qualities American pigs touched an unprecedented price this week, when they fetched ten dollars live weight. Another fact that -will contribute to keep the price of this commodity up is the dearness of feeding stuffs. Thinkin-sr they would not get an adequate return for their outlay, many pig-keepers have, owing to this reason, discontinued their occupation. But now, surely, is the time for pig-keepers to find a remunerative market.