COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2568, 31 July 1909, Page 5

COMMERCIAL.

FROZEN MEAT. Messrs W. Weddel and Co., London r report- as follows for the week ending June ISth: In the frozen meat market the outstanding feature is the firmness of beef ?uotations, owing to moderate supply, nterest has also been created in the mutton market by the shortening of supplies, and some free buying; of the lower qualities, at prices which show a welcome advance on the rates recently current. Lambs continue, t-o decline in price owing to the excessively heavy supply. Mutton. —New Zealand. —Arrivals during the past two weeks amount to only 52,330 carcases. Small carcases are .a shade firmer in price, as a result of shorter supplies, but the heavy and. medium weights have not yet. participated in the improvement. Prime Canterbury sheep under 481bs. are quoted at 3id., and carcases of 48/561bs. weight realise about the same figure. The 06/’64lbs. grade are offered at 3d to 3|d for small carcases; the larger grades selling at 2R3 to 2fd per lb. Second class sheep are still offered at about 2£d per lb. for heavy weights, and 2Jd to 2|d for the smaller carcases. Ewes, although large in size, have moved freely at Igd to 2d per lb: but supplies are now almost exhausted and quotations firm at about 2gd per lb. Lamb.—Arrivals consist of 185,344 carcases from New Zealand, 27,644 carcases from Australia, 15,139 carcases from River Plate, 195 carcases from Uruguay, and 21,640 carcases from Patagonia. In spite of the good demand for Canterbury lambs prices continue to be lowered, and sales are reported at 4fd for under 361b5., and 4|d for 36/42lhs. The dearness of homekilled mutton creates a good demand for the 42/501bs lambs at about 3 11-16GL per lb. Prime Wellington lambs cannot be quoted at more than 4Jd* to 4£cf per lb. for small weights. Other North Island lambs are very plentiful, and the difficulty of selling is increased as Canterbury's fall in price. Almost any brand is obtainable at 3£d to 3|d. for under 421b5., or at 3|d. to 4d. for under 361b5.; while secondary qualities are sold at 34d to 3-fd. per lb.. There is a fair demand for the remaining stocks of Australian lambs at about 3fd for under 361bs. ,and 3d to 3fd for 36/421bs. South American lambs also range in price between 3d and 3§d pe r lb. Beef. —Frozen. —During the past twoweeks 5,241 quarters have arrived from Australia, 10,132 quarters from New Zealand, 62,835 quarters from,. the River Plate and 10,03 S quarters frofts* Uruguay. During the early part of the\ fortnight, values remained very .firm at a high level, but as a result of increased arrival of South American chilled beef the highest prices touched have hardly been maintained this week. At the close, however, there is still a good enquiry, and values are steady.