PRODUCERS’ OUTLOOK.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1922, Page 5

PRODUCERS’ OUTLOOK.

THE EXPORT OF MEAT. IMPROVEMENT IN PROSPECTS. The outlook for producers was re* viewed by Mr. W. IL Millward, chairman of directors, nt the annual meeting of the Gear Meat Company in Wellington last week. “The season opened, with heavy stocks of stale meat in Great Britain,” he said, “and a disinclination on the part of buyers to take the risks of forward purchasing; but low prices created an increased consumption, and this, together with sales to the Continent, rapidly improved the conditions, and generally speaking mutton and lamb have since shown steady appreciation. “At the moment, owing to short supplies, values have reached about double pre-war figures, which, upon rarger quantities becoming available later on, may be found to be in excess of the purchasing power of the bulk of the, consumers. Unemployment, caused by disorganised foreign trade, unfavorable economic conditions on the Continent, and oppressive taxation, do not make for the buoyant demand in Britain, which may be necessary to absorb tne large exports from the Southern Hemisphere. Australia is at present shipping fairly large quantities of iamb; and Patagonia, judging from the repeated purchases of Southdown rams in Britain. is endeavoring to increase its proportion in this branch of the trade. “In New Zealand, the number of ewes put to the ram last autumn w greater than for some years past, and as the lambing has. on the whole, been very good, a large number of lambs should be available for export. As the slaughter of young stock increases, th© number of wethers left to mature as mutton necessarily diminishes. But the lamb trade is the more profitable, and, owing to the popularity of the Dominion's product, our flock-owners will have good reason to maintain their output. The sheep statistics of this country have shown a diminution of four millions in the last four years, and. the stocks are now lower than at any period since 1907. Doubtless, with less financial pressure there will be a larger number of suitable owe lambs retained, for breeding purposes, and by this means the unfavorable position will be rectified to some extent. In this connection it must, however, be borne in mind that dairying, in the North Island at any rate, is making heavy inroads into our meat supplies. “South America has. during the greater part of the year, had complete control of the beef market. The shipments of chilled beef have shown a great increase, and as this description must necessarily be marketed within a week or so after arrival, the frozen article has to go into the store to await a favorable opportunity to realise. In the hot weather the latter is more in demand for railing to the provinces, as owing to its lower temperature it carries better. The present prices for frozen beef should prove an attraction to those of limited means, and it is, therefore, probable that the demand lor our prime quality may increase somewhat. “The United States and the Continent of Europe have been disappointing so far as the Buying of our meat products is concerned; and the United Kingdom has, as in the past, been our best, and almost only customer. Vegetable oils have been in increasing supply for edible purposes; nevertheless tallow has, owing to its strong statistical position, remained fairly stable. Wool, as far as the finer grades are concerned, has been most satisfactory, and as these sorts are absorbed, the prospects for medium coarse crossbreds becomes more favorable.”