FROZEN MEAT TRADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 January 1939, Page 7

FROZEN MEAT TRADE

LONDON QUOTATIONS LAMB MARKET EASIER. Lamb Market: Prices easier; demand is affected by cold weather and competition with home killed. Mutton market: Wethers and ewes, excepting lightweights prices lower owing to poor demand. Beef market: Frozen beef, market quiet. Chilled beef, prices lower owing to slow trade. N.Z. porker pigs: Lightweights steady; others, tendency is easier. N.Z. baconer pigs: Market quiet and unchanged. Boneless bobby veal: Prices unchanged but trade slow.

The above report was received yesterday by the Meat Board from its London office, which advises that the following are the ruling prices of wholesale quantities of the descriptions of frozen meat mentioned and are for representative parcels of the goods sold on Thursday. Chilled beef prices are averages of the week. All prices are on the basis of delivered to Smithfield market. Prices for the previous week are shown in parentheses:—

N.Z. Sheep: Crossbred wethers and/ or maiden ewes, 481 b. and under, 4]d (same); 491 b to 561 b., 3 7-8 d (4d); 571 b to 641 b., 3 7-8 d (4d); 651 b to 721 b, 3 7-8 d (4d); ewes, 481 b. and under, 3d (same); 491 b to 561 b, 2ld (25-8 d 571 b to 641 b, 24d (same); 651 b. to 721 b, 2 3-8 d (same).

N.Z. Lambs: Canterbury, not quoted. North Island Downs, 361 b and under, 7 5-8 d (7 7-8 d); 371 b to 421 b, 7 5-8 d (7 7-8 d); 431 b to 501 b., not quoted; 2nd quality, average about 301 b., 7 3-8 d (71d); North Island, Ist quality, 361 b and under, 7ld (7:jd); 371 b to 421 b., 7Ad (7i'd); 2nd quality, average about 311 b, 71d (7 3-8 d). Australian lambs: Victorian, Ist quality, 291 b to 361 b, 6]d (6 7-8 d); 371 b to 421 b., 61d (6 5-8 d).

Argentine lambs: Ist quality, 361 b and under, 6jd (6 3-8 d); 371 b to 421 b, 6d (same).

N.Z. frozen lamb: Second quality, ox hinds, 1451 b to 2101 b, 4 l-8d (same); ox fores, 1451 b to 2101 b, 3d (same). Australian frozen beef: Second quality, ox hinds, 4jd (same); ox crops, weights corresponding, 3d (3 l-8d). NN.Z. porker pigs: Ist quality, 611 b to 801 b, 7 5-8 d (same); 811 b to 1001 b, 6 7-8 d (7d); 1011 b to 1201 b, 6Jd (same). N.Z. baconer pigs: 1211 b to 1601 b., 6d (same).

Boneless bobby veal, ex store, in parcels, 4.jd (same).

N.Z. chilled beef: Ox hinds, 1451 b to 2101 b, sjd (5 5-8 d); ox fores, 1451 b to 2101 b, 31d (3 5-8 d). Australian chilled beef: Ox hinds, 5 l-8d (5Id); ox crops, 31d (3 5-8 d). Southern Rhodesian chilled beef: Ox hinds. 4 : ;d <sjd); ox fores, 3.',d (3 3-8 d).

Argentine chilled beef: Ox hinds, G 3-8 d (6,|d); ox fores, 4 l-8d (same).

Uruguayan chilled beef: Ox hinds. 5Sd (6d);’ox fores, 3jd (3 7-8 d).

Messrs. .Levin & Co., Ltd., have received the following cable from their London agents, dated January 26: Frozen meat quotations (prices on a delivered basis, i.e., including storagecharges, cartage, market tolls, etc.): North Island Down lambs. 28/361b, 7 5-8 d per lb; 36/421b. 7 5-8 d per lb. Best North Island crossbred lambs, 28/361b, 71d per lb; 36/42, 71d. North Island second quality lambs,'average 30/311b, 7>d. Best North Island wether sheep, under 481 b, 4j'd; 48/561b, 3 7-8 d; 56/ 641 b, 3 7-8 d; 64-'72lb. 3 7-Bd. North Island ewes, under 481 b, 3d; 56/641b, 21d; 64/721b. 2 3-Bd. N.Z. prime ox bec-f, 160/2201b, none offering. Compared with last week’s quotation, Down and crossbred lambs, jd per lb lower; second quality lamb. l-8d lower; wethers, 48/72113, l-8d lower; ewes. 48/561b, l-8d lower. Others unchanged. The demand for New Zealand lamb is poor and the market is weak generally. The mutton market continues weak and prices where unchanged are in buyers’ favour.