THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2343, 16 July 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Tub directors of the Melbourne Refrigerating and Agency Company (Limited) recently prepared a report on the work of the company and the future prospects of the frozen meat trade, from which wo make the following extracts: The greatest difficulties the company had to face were the heavy expenses, both here and in L mdon, connected with the preparing and disposing of the meat, and so serious did this seem that it was evident that, unless a great reduction was marie, the industry would be swamped with charges. After some little time the, services of a well known and experienced business man was secured to thoroughly investigate the best and most economical way of disposing of frozen meat in London. This step resulted in a very exhaustive report, which was acted on as soon as possible, and so faris giving great satisfaction. In proof of this, recent account sales show that the total Horne charges are now a shade over |d per lb. Having accomplished so much in London, the company’s next step was to grapple with the heavy expenses on this side, with the result that when the works are again opened a reduction of 12 per cent will be made on the charges. It may be safe 1 / said that the savings thus effected i., expenses will bo quite equal to 2s a sheep. The prices realised by shippers have been very varied ; large crossbreds netted to the owners as high as 17s, while shippers of light weights and inferior quality, in one or two instances, under 5s ; but a fair idea may lie given of what actually lias been done by taking the returns of the largest shipper, Mr Win. A rmstrong, who shipped during the your 10,038 crossbred sheop, varying in weight from .loll) to 701b, and those netted an average of 12s at the works. Nr Win. Taylor shipped 9111 Riverina merino wethers, weighing about 451b, and netted at the works 9s 3d. Lighter weights in Riverina sheep were much more disappointing in returns, and in all oases the returns for light-weight sheep and inferior quality were unsatisfactory. The most saleable weights are crossbreds from olilb to 701b, and merino from 481b to GOlb. During the last year the company shipped over 100,000 sheep, and these averaged, net, 9s lid. When it is remembered that frozen mutton was lower during the last 12 months in London than at any period since its introduction, the outcome of the year’s work is not so disappointing, and will compare favourably with results from other parts. Further, owners of stock must not lose sight of the beneficial effect of assisting to relieve the local market of the surplus stock, which is yearly increasing, and would prove moat depressing to prices here if an export trade was not established.

Indeßd, the increasing flocks irresistibly force on the stockowners the question where an outlet is to be found. In the face of a most protracted drought, the increase of sheep in New South Wales during the last ten years was'over 13,000,000 ; it may therefore be safely reckoned that at the. end of this year the sheep of New South Wales and Victoria will exceed ”>1,000,000 which should leave a surplus of 10,000,000 to be disposed of yearly. Half of this surplus is required for local consumption in both colonies, but where is the outlet for the other 0,000,000? Heretofore the stocking up of new country absorbed a large.qnantlty; but year by year the requirements for new country are getting less ; and preserved meats for the London market is a thing of the past, as English consumers much prefer the frozen fresh meat. It is, therefore, particularly the interests of pastoralists that the export of frozen meat should continue.

The consumption of frozen meat is growing rapidly ; over 25,000 carcases are now sold weekly in London, so there is plenty of room fora continuing increase. The total import of dead and living meat into England during 1884 was estimatd at 214,000 tons, or fully one-fourth of her total consumption. Last year’s total imports of frozen meat would not exceed 32,500 tons ; therefore the exportation of frozen meat may be regarded as only in its infancy.