FROZEN MEAT TRADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 February 1939, Page 4

FROZEN MEAT TRADE

LONDON QUOTATIONS LAMB PRICES EASIER. Z MUTTON MARKET DEPRESED. • Lamb market: Because of cold weather trade rather slow and prices are a shade easier. Mutton market: Trade remains depressed and values of wethers and light-weight ewes again easier. Beef market: Chilled beef firmer this week because of cold weather- increasing demand. N.Z. porker pigs: Light and mediumweights easier on the slow demand. N.Z. baconer pigs: Firmer on the better Continental bacon prices.

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 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 5-8 d (4.3 d 461 b to 461 b, 33d (3 7-8 d); 571bs to 641bs, 33d (3 7-8 d) 651 b to 721 b, 33d (3 7-8 d); ewes, 481 b and under, 27-8 d (3d); 491 b to 561 b, 2Jd (2Jd); 571b',-to 641 b. 2Jd (2£d); 651 b to 721 b, 23-8 d (23-8 d

N.Z. lambs: Canterbury, not quoted. North Island Downs, 361 b and under, 7id (7 5-8 d); 371 b to 421 b, 7|d (7 5-8 d); 431 b to 501 b, 7 l-8d (not quoted); second quality, average about 301 b, 7 3-8 d (7 3-8 d); North Island, first quality, 361 b and under, 7 3-8 d (71d); 371 b to 421 b, 7 3-8 d (7|d); second quality, average about 311 b, 7 l-8d (7.’d). * Australian lambs: Victorian, first quality, 291 b to 361 b, 63d (63d); 371 b to 421 b, 61d (61d). Argentine lambs: First quality, 361 b and under, 63d (63d); 371 b to 421 b, 6d (6d).

N.Z. frozen beef: Second quality, ox hinds, 1451 b to 2101 b, 4d (4 1-8); ox fores, 1451 b to 2101 b, 3d (3d). Australian frozen beef: Second quality, ox hinds, 4 l-8d (4-Jd); ox crops, 3d (3d).

N.Z. porker pigs: First quality, 61 lb to 801 b, 7£d (7 5-8 d); 811 b to 1001 b, 6 5-8 d (6 7-8 d); 1011 b to 1201 b, 6Jd (6|d).

N.Z. baconer pigs: 121 lb to 1601 b, 6Jd red).

Boneless bobby veal; Ex store, in parcels, 4 l-8d (4Jd). N.Z. chilled beef: Ox hinds, 1451 b to 2101 b, 51d (53d); ox fores, 1451 b to 210 lb, 5-8 d (3Jd). Australian chilled beef: Ox hinds, 5 3-8 d (5 1-Bd); ox crops, 3 5-8 d (3£d). South African chilled beef: Not quoted.

South Rhodesian chilled beef: Ox hinds, 43d (43d); ox fores, 3£d (33d). Argentine chilled beef: Ox hinds, 6 3-8 d (6 3-8 d); ox fores, 4Jd (4 l-8d). Uruguayan chilled beef: Ox hinds, 5 7-8 d (53d); ox lores, 3 7-8 d (33d). .

Messrs Levin and Co Ltd have received the following cable from their London agents, dated February 2:— North Island Down lambs, 28/361bs, 7| per lb;, 36/421bs per lb; best North Island Xbd lambs, 28/361bs 7gd per lb, 36/421bs, 7|d per lb; North Island 2nd quality lambs, av 30/311bs, 7Jd per lb; best North Island wether sheep, under 481 b, 4§d per lb, 48/561bs, 33d per lb, 56/64, 33d per lb, 64/721bs, 33d per lb; North Island ewes, under 481bs, 21d per lb, 48/561bs, 2|d per lb, 56/641bs, 2>d per lb; 64/721bs, 2gd per lb; N.Z, prime ox beef, 160/2201b5, none offering. Compared with last week’s quotations lamb, all grades, is id per lb lower, wethers, id per lb lower, and ewes under 481bs id per lb lower. Others are unchanged. The market is quiet all round, and the tendency generally is for lower prices.

The Bank of Australasia has received the following cable, dated London, February 1, from its London office:— Frozen lambs: Demand for New Zealand new season’s disappointing. Opening prices not long maintained and although arrivals are not too heavy, the market continues slightly easier. Australian lambs: Trade continues to be slow and values weaker, especially for summer grades. Frozen mutton: Business dull for both wethers and ewes, and prices practically unchanged. Latterly there has been more inquiry for light weights. Frozen beef: There has been a moderate demand, but the market continues easier.