PIG MARKETING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 June 1940, Page 9

PIG MARKETING

CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES. ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR. Although compared with last year Dominion killings for export show a decline of 115,000 pigs or 22 per cent to the end of May, the published figures of the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association show a corresponding fall of only 19.500 pigs or 15 per cent, while in respect of weight of pig meat handled an actual increase of 2.9 per cent is recorded. This aspect of the company's experience is indeed most gratifying and is a pleasing tribute to its farmer shareholders, whose response to the company's appeal for increased production of bacon pigs was an excellent one. Altogether the association has marketed just under 110,000 pigs, 254,000 bobby calves and 3,000 head of cull cattle, amounting in all to 365,158 carcases with an aggregate hooks weight of 22,518,26G1b5. Of the total weight of pig meat handled over 45 per cent was disposed of direct from the producer to the retail trade through its own subsidiaries and associated curing factories, while of the remainder 25 per cent was marketed under the commandeer and the balance at export works and to other bacon company clients.

It will thus be seen that the wide spread of these marketing ramifications provides their farmer suppliers with an effective bargaining strength in respect of the sale of their products.

The association’s turnover during the year is shown at £524,089. which together with its subsidiaries will again exceed £750,000. In spite of the general increase in costs, the association's administration expenses are shown at .123 d per lb of pig meat handled against ,148 d for last year. A total of over £412,688 has already been distributed during the season to suppliers of pigs, bobby calves and cull cattle, and there is a net surplus available for final distribution to pig and cull cow suppliers of £17,500, such amount being exclusive of share credits and other benefits on qualified supply. This surplus, which it is intended to distribute to suppliers towards the encl of July, will show producers a total return on their pigs approximating a d per lb more than the average realised last year, which must be regarded as highly satisfactory. Throughout the year the company’s advance payments have been kept at a record high level, being over 94 per cent of the total net value of pigs supplied on consignment. This policy has been made possible by the increasing financial strength of the company, including its extremely liquid position.

A complete schedule of final payment rates is included in the company’s annual report which will be Circulated to its 10.000 shareholders and suppliers on or before the middle of July. The association's subscribed capital now stands at £33,600, being an increase of over £3.000 on the figure published last year.