MEAT EXPORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 July 1938, Page 6

MEAT EXPORTS

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES SHOWN REPORT OF THE PRODUCERS' (BOARD. CHILLED BEEF POSITION SATISFACTORY. The annual report of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board states that the interim sheep flock figures of the Dominion at April' 30 last, show an increase of 1,091,042, making a new high level of 32,396,860. Total killings of all classes of meat for the current season to May 31 last amounted to 9,114,862 freight carcases, an increase of 186,891 freight carcases as compared with' the corresponding period of .the preceding season. Lamb killings for the season to March 31 last amounted to 6,912,368 actual carcases as compared with 6,460,631 in the corresponding period of the preceding season. The following figures of chilled beef exported from New Zealand show the remarkable development which has taken place since the inception of the trade: — . Season . • Quarters 1933- 19,576 1934- 64,514 1935- 144,169 1936- 201,105 For the 1937-38 season the quantity shipped up to May 31 reached 159,758 quarters as compared with 129,851 quarters to the same date last season —an increase of 23 per cent, and it is anticipated that the exports for this season will reach approximately 240,000 quarters. “It is very satisfactory to note,” the report observes, “that our chilled beef export trade continues to expand satisfactorily along practical lines and although there is still room for improvement in breeding, feeding and transport, yet its development in the main has achieved its object in the general rise of our cattle values to a much more remunerative level. The quality of the beef shipped is not yet up to the standard that it is possible to attain, nevertheless the steady - reduction in the number of rough old bullocks is undoubtedly improving the position.”