EXPORT OF MEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1921, Page 2

EXPORT OF MEAT.

FROZEN MEAT MARKETS. CONDITIONS IN LONDON. Messrs. Gilbert, Anderson and Co., Ltd., London, writing udder date June 9, give the following particulars of the frozen meat markets : "Since our laat letter the market has been fairly steady on the spot for lamb and lightweight mutton. The slow discharge of steamers has greatly assisted in holding the price, as although fair quantities have arrived, and are now in the river, the slow discharge has so far prevented the market from being overloaded. With the exception of heavy-weights, the new meat available has unade better prices than was generally anticipated, but despite the good prices ruling on spot, buyers will not operate on an equivalent basis c.i.f. terms. The general basis, at the moment is Id per lb. lower for purchases c.i.f., as it is found that the goods cannot be disposed ot with in twenty-eight days from commencement of discharge of vessel, and buyers still maintain that the market will weaken probably before the goods are available. The most disturbing influence at the moment is the number of offers coming forward for June shipment. Buyers are being pressed to buy at lOd and lid per lb. for prime lamb, and with these prices before them they are most cautious not to overstock themselves at current limits. "Home-killed lamb is a little more plentiful, and it is generally thought that both mutton and lamb cannot bo held up muck longer. "Discussions are now open with the Ministry as to the best way of clearing their stocks, which consist, roughly, as follows: Whole ewes, 600,000; whole wethers, 200,000; cut launbs, 100,000; whole lambs, 90,000. The Ministry have suggested that the lot should be sold In one deal In order to clear their accounts promptly, and agents are considering the advisability of forming a syndicate to buy the lot and distribute as far as possible without upsetting the market for 'free' mutton. As it is, buyers know that this meat is still in store, and are afraid to operate freely in case the price is considerably reduced.’’ HANDLING OF MEATLONDON. • /' In connection with the handling of frozen meat in London, "■Cold Stonftje" has the following remarks, which should' be. of Interest to exporters as showing the, treatment ed to New Zealand produce In London: "Notwithstanding the precautions taken at the cold stores regarding the hygienic handling of meat, there appears to be a great deal of apathy in this direction on the part of many of the meat carriers around the central markets of London. On either side of the market there is a daily supply of mieat, purchased by the butchers from the jobbers, stacked on the pavemenls awaiting removal, and often the meat remains in the street for hours on end without a covering of any kind to protect it. Sometimes a cloth or sack is placed beneath the meat, but -this is an exception to the rule, for more often than not the bare flag-stones are considered sufficient by these people, who are prone to handle meat as they would cases df hardware. It is felt that something should be done without delay to stop this wanton disregard of proper hygienic methods in handling thld perishable commodity. ARGENTINE MEAT EXPORTS. A London journal, writing on June 16, stated that the exports of meat from Argentina during this year bad been more than maintained. Up to April 30 there had been shipped 1,640,887 quarters of frozen beef, 521,765 quarters of cliilled beef, 1,289,627 frozen sheep, and 406,985 frozen lambs. The corresponding figures for the same period of 1920 were:—1,626,429 quarters of frozen beef, no chilled beef, 373,879 frozen sheep, and 115,574 frozen lambs. That New Zealand is not alone in having trouble with labor in connection with its meat works is shown by the fact that the meat freezing works belonging to the British and Argentine Meat Company, Ltd., at Campana, were closed down on May 9 for an indefinite period. "The reason for this drastic measure," says the Review of the River Plate, "is tte Impossible situation created by the disproportionate exigencies of the workmen, acting under the influence of a relatively small group of incurable malcontents and professional agitators.”