COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIAdata.daff.gov.au/brs/data/warehouse/pe_abarebrs99001289/... · 2006. 8....

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

PI .-

THE BEEF SITUATION

OCTOBER 1953

BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE

CANBERRA. A.C.T.

Registered at the O.P.O.. Sydney, tor transmission by post as a periodical.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

THE BEEF SITUATION

OCTOBER 1953

Editor of Publications : L. G. Ashton.

&

BUREAU O F AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT O F COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE

CANBERRA. A.C.T.

FOREWORD

T HIS is the first issue of The Beef Situation, one of a series of. situation reports covering major primary industries being published by the

Bureau of Agricultural Economics. This report will in future be published

half-yearly in February and August. Its purpose is to supply information

on recent developments in beef production, utilization and marketing in

Australia and in the main oversea countries influencing Australia's export

markets, and to offer comments on the short-term outlook for the industry.

A Statistical Appendix giving the more important recent Australian and

oversea statistics is included. As a first issue, this report includes more

background material than will future issues.

Acknowledgement is made of the many sources drawn upon. The

more important of these are the official publications of the Commonwealth

Statistician and the Australian Meat Board, official statistics of the other

countries mentioned, and especially the Annual Meat Summary and the

Monthly Intelligence Bulletin published by the Commonwealth Economic

Committee (London).

T. H. STRONG,

Director,

Bureau of Agricultural Economics.

Canberra, A.C.T.

October, 1953.

I1 . THE SITUATION IN AUSTRALIA ................................. 3 .................................................... Production 3

Consumption .................................................. 4 Exports ....................................................... 4 Marketing .and Prices ........................................ 6

.............. 8

THE BEEF SITUATION

ERRATA

p . 4 col . 2 "Exports," par . l l b e 17: For 35. 000 tons read 55. 000 tons . It may be noted that

packs included in the Commonwealth Statistician's figures for beef and veal exports are straight packs only. i.e. they exclude mixed packs. in which form substantial quantities of beef and veal were also exported in 1952-53 . p. 8 Table No . 3:

1 Footnote (a) applies to 1952-53 as well as to 1953.54 .

, E S ......... 15 .............. 15

.............. 17

.............. 18 Italy .......................................................... 18

V . THE CANNED MEATS SITUATION .................................. l D Australia ..................................................... l9 Other Exporting Countries .................................... 20 Importing Countries ........................................... 20 World Outlook ............................................... 21

STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF THE BEEF SITUATION ............... 22

THE BEEF SITUATION

I : SUMMARY OF THE AUSTRALIAN SITUATION

P RODUCTION of beef and veal in Australia for the year ended June 30,1953 was a record a t 674,500 tons, the previous record quantity being 651,500 tons produced in 1950-51. The year's record production was partly due to flush conditions in Queensland last Winter, which induced graziers to withhold cattle from the market In the first half of 1952; it is also a con- tinuation of the upward trend in production (apart from a reversal in 1951-52) which has been apparent since 1945-46. The pre-war average (1934-35 to 1938-39) output was considerably lower, being 531,200 tons.

In spite of the heavy slaughterings, this year's beef cattle population (10,501,000 head on March 31) is the greatest since statistics of beef cattle numbers were flrst published separately in 1943 and is quite possibly the highest ever. However, i t is possible that the beef cattle population is now a t its cyclical peak and numbers may now commence to decline, although on a moderate scale, the cycle having been "dampened" since the war.

Consumption of beef and veal per head in Australia has fallen appreciably since before the war; probably a change in dietary habits and some switch to lamb have been principally responsible. A greater population, however, has resulted in higher total home consumption and the home market has taken about three-quarters of total production in recent years.

exports over the last five years. Canned meat exports have increased rapidly. In 1952-53 they were a record a t 102,300 tons, double the previous year's total. About one-quarter of the canned meat exported had beef and veal as the major component.

An increase in prices for beef and veal exported under the terms of the U.K. Fifteen Year Meat Agreement has recently been announced. Prices for the 1953-54 meat year (commencing October 1, 1953) are 5&% higher, with a premium of 2d. A.C. per lb. for "baby" beef and a penalty of lad. A.C. per lb. for overweight beef shipped after January 1, 1954. For first quality ox and heifer hinds the agreement price is now 15.51d. stg. (19.39d. A.C.) per lb. the previous year's price being 14.70d. stg. (18.37d. A.C.) per lb. The Com- monwealth purchase price for beef for export under the U.K. contract now averages approximately 135/6 per 1001b., for ox and heifer, first and second quality, on a n f.o.b. basis, compared with 130/4d. per 1001b. for the previous year. This is far above the agreement "floor" price of 79/6d. per 1001b., which remains operative up to Sep- tember 1958.

Although home prices this year have been below last year's record level, when prices rose sharply in the flrst half of the year, they have not receded from the level of late last year and are above 1951 average prices. The average Drice a t Sydney saleyards for ox and heifer, first

The increased utilization for past few years is noteworthy. production of canned meats 94,400 tons, about 16% of total veal was used for canning.

and second export -quality, for the first .eight canning Over we months of this year was 124/- per 1001b., the In 1952-53~ when average for 1952 being 141/- per 1001b. and for was a record at 1951, 114/- per 1001b. In 1952, home prices were beefo and considerably above the purchase price for export

beef, when both are compared on a saleyards basis, but this year the margin has narrowed Exports of beef and veal in 1952-53, a t 85,800 appreciably. tons. showed a recovery from the low level of

1951152 and were slightly above the post-war average. Before the war, however, exports were At home, demand is such as to keep the market about one-third greater than in 1952-53. The buoyant. The lower level of beef prices prevail- United Kingdom remains Australia's main over- ing this year should encourage increased home sea market, taking about three-quarters of her consumption, probably a t the expense of lamb.

2 THE BEEF SITUATION, OCTOBER 1953

Even at the conservative flgure of 1201b. per head, about 480,000 tons annually will soon be required for home consumption. Further support is given to the home market by the U.K.'s contract to take Australia's exportable surplus at prices related to costs of production.

Overseas, Australia has a guaranteed market under the U.K. agreement and the guarantee of a "floor" price until 1958. Moreover, in the event of the U.K. decontrolling trade in meats, i t is bound under the provisions of the agreement to make arrangements to meet its obligations re-

garding the "floor" price and other provisions of the detailed agreement. Although there are signs tha t the U.K. demand is easing, Australia has, in addition to the agreement guarantee, the benefit of tariff preference and membership of the sterling area to help safeguard her share of the U.K. market.

With a large, steady home demand and a guaranteed market in the U.K., the market outlook for the beef industry is favourable and the time is opportune for an expansion in production, with emphasis on better quality beef.

II : THE SITUATION IN AUSTRALIA

The raising of beef cattle in Australia is largely conducted on an extensive or open-range system, the greater part of the cattle population being found in the sparsely populated inland regions of the northern half of the continent where the stations usually raise cattle as the sole enterprise. Here, cattle are bred and later trans- ported to the coast or south either for fattening or marketing. Beef cattle as a sole enterprise are also run in mountainous regions near the coast, while in other inland areas, particularly in New South Wales, they are raised in conjunction with sheep. The dairy industry, too, contributes substantially to beef production, almost a quarter of total beef produced coming from culled dairy stock.

Queensland is the largest producer of beef, between 30% and 35% of total Australian production coming from that State, while large numbers of cattle, both fats and stores, are moved annually into the southern States. New South Wales produces about another 30%, while Vic- toria provides 20% to 25%, more than half of which is derived from the dairy industry. North- ern Territory slaughterings are negligible, but this part of Australia is a major source of live cattle for Queensland and South Australia. Prodltotion

Total cattle numbers on March 31, 1952, a t 14,893,000 head, showed a decline from the previous year's 15,229,000 head. However, the cattle population in 1952 was far above the 1934-38 average of 13,608,000 head. An early estimate of the March, 1953, population indicates a moderate rise to 15,245,000 head. T h e beef cattle population has been expanding

steadily since the war but may now have reached the peak of the "cattle cycle." The "cattle cycle" is a fairly regular cyclical movement in numbers of beef cattle which has had, in the past, a duration of about 10 to 12 years from peak to peak, although some "dampening" and shorten- ing of the cycle has bees in evidence since the war. This cyclical movement appears to be brought about by the peculiar effects on livestock industries of changes in farmers' breeding programmes induced by low or high price levels or by environmental factors, particularly seasonal conditions. The last peak in cattle population was h 1944, and before that, in 1934. It is pos-

sible that the long-term guarantee of the meat agreement with the U.K. may tend further to dampen cyclical fluctuations in the beef cattle population.

Beef cattle numbers in 1952 (10,327,000 head) were slightly below those of the previous year (10,427,000 head), probably due to the failure of the summer rains in the Northern Territory and Queensland in 1951-52. However, in spite of the heavy slaughterings this season, the estimated 1953 population shows a slight rise to 10,501,000 head. Direct comparison with pre-war figures is not possible as the detailed classification of cattle statistics according to type did not begin until March 1943. However, the 1935-39 beef cattle population probably averaged about 8,500,000 head. By States the 1953 population was as follows: Queensland, 5.4 million; New South Wales, 1 2.4 million; Northern Territory, 0.9 million; Vic- toria, 0.8 million; WesEern Australia, 0.6 million; South Australia, 0.2 million; Tasmania, 0.1 million.

(

Slaughterings of cattle and calves have fol- lowed the trend in numbers. During 1952-53, ( 2,822,000 head of cattle and 1,121,000 calves were slaughtered. In total, this was a considerable increase on the 'previous year's figures, when slaughterings amounted to 2,512,000 head of cattle and 1,174,000 calves. The main increases in total slaughterings have been in Queensland and New South Wales. In Queensland, slaughter- lngs in 1952-53 were 962,200 head, compared with 727,600 head in 1951-52 and, in New South Wales, 951,800 head as against 819,900 head in the previous year. The rise in slaughterings can be attributed partly to the flush conditions which prevailed last Winter, and which induced graziers to withhold cattle from the market, and partly to the incentive given by the increase in the U.K. agreement price. The post-war upward movement in slaughterings is shown in Table III, which also indicates that slaughterings have been considerably above the 1934-38 average of 3,301,000 head. Slaughter weights vary according to seasonal conditions, and for the last seven years averaged about 500 lb. per beast for cattle. The 1952-53 average (509 lb.) was considerably above the 488 lb. average of 1951-52 (a drought year). The average weight of calves slaughtered has varied little over recent years.

4 THE BEEF SITUAT 'ION, OCTOBER 1953

Consequent upon the great increase in marketings, beef and veal production in 1952-53 exceeded the previous record quantity of 651,500 tons produced in 1950-51. The first estimate for 1952-53 gives a n output of 674,500 tons (641,600 tons of beef and 32,900 tons of veal), the previous year's production being 581,900 tons (546,900 tons of beef and 35,000 tons of veal). Apart from the setback last year, beef and veal production has now shown a continuous rise from the cyclical trough of 406,600 tons in 1945-46. In the five pre-war years, 1934-35 to 1938-39, production averaged 531,200 tons annually and during this period reached its cyclical peak. When this average is compared with the average of the flve years to 1952-53 (about 618,000 tons) it is apparent that a considerable rise in the level of production has taken place. This increase in output is consistent with a long-term gradual rise in cattle population and slaughterings. If, in the immediate future, the usual cyclical pattern appears, production may be expected to follow cattle numbers and begin to decline moderately from the recent high level within a few years.

Consumption

The pattern of beef and veal disposal in Aus- tralia is shown in Table V, and is illustrated in the accompanying graph. Between 70% and 80% of the carcase beef produced in recent years has been consumed in Australia, while from 12% to 15% has been used for canning, a small propar- tion of the canned meat being consumed locally. Total consumption of carcase beef and veal i s now above the pre-war (1936-37 to 1938-39) average of 430,000 tons, being a n estimated 461,700 tons in 1952-53 and 464,400 tons in 1951-52. After rationing ended in June, 1948, consumption rose sharply to a peak of 488,200 tons in 1950-51, since when it has fallen moderately.

Per capita consumption of carcase beef and veal is still oonsiderably below the 1936-37 to 1938-39 average of 144 lb. (which, however, includes possibly 4 lb. of canned beef in terms of carcase weight). In 1952-53 consumption was an estimated 119 lb. per head and in 1951-52, 123 lb per head. There are many reasons for the falling-off in beef consumption since before the war. Perhaps the main reason is a change in dietary habits after four years of meat rationing. There has probably also been some switch to the consumption of lamb, and to a lesser extent of canned meats, and of protein substitutes,

especially of cheese. Table V1 shows that, while per capita consumption of total meats has fallen appreciably, lamb consumption has shown a n increase of almost 100%. For canned meats, statistics of pre-war consumption are not available, but a moderate increase in consumption appears to have taken place, al%hough estimates for 1952-53 show some fall.

Cheese consumption per head has risen from an average of 4.4 lb. for the three years to 1938-39 to 5.9 lb. in 1951-52. Price i s only one factor influencing consumption, but when ranked in order of price increase since before the war, beef, of all the meats and most major substitutes, is second only to pork in the list. Increases in Sydney retail prices, from the December quarter of 1937 to the December quarter of 1952 were:

increase Percentage

Pork . . . . . . . . . . 303 . . . . . . . . . . Beef 291

Bacon. . . . . . . . . . 285 . . . . . . . . . . Eggs 266

Mutton . . . . . . . . 197 . . . . . . . . Lamb(a) 184 . . . . . . . . . Cheese 150

(a) Wholesale prlce increase.

Exports vary according to changes in production, as home consumption, which varies little from year to year and generally gives higher returns, is satisfied flrst. During 1952-53, because of the increase in production, approximately 85,800 tons of beef and veal were exported, as against 42,800 tons exported in the previous year. Since the end of the war exports of beef and veal have not attained the pre-war average level, which, for the five years to 1938-39, stood a t 107,900 tons annually, However, the considerable increase in recent years i n canned m a t , exports must not be overlooked. Canned beef and veal exports in 1952-53 amounted to 24,700 tons and in 1951-52 to 23,500 tons. I n terms of carcase meat, 1952-53 exports would represent a t least 35,OOQ tons, bringing total beef and veal (carcase equivalent) exports in that year above the pre- war figure.

Apart from the sharp fall in 1951-52. exports since 1948-49 have been around the 80,000 tons mark, as is shown in Table VII. Exports of veal are not important, usually being from 1% to 2% of the total volume. The greater part of the

PRODUCTION AND UmmTIQbPJ OF CARCASE BEEF AND VEAL : AUSTRAIJA AV. 1936-31 to 1938-39, AV. 1946-47 $0 1948-49, a d 1949-50 to 1952-53

6 THE BEEF SlTUATlOl 9, OCTOBER 1953

beef and veal exported is shipped from Queens- land, which Btate in recent years has contri- buted about 85% of total exports, although, because of the 1951 drought, the proportion fell to 75% in 1951-52. Shipments from New South Wales and Victoria have fallen considerably since before the war, doubtless because of the greater home consumption in those States.

The United Kingdom is the one major oversea market for Australia's beef and veal. In the last five post-war years the U.K. has taken about three-quarters of Australian exports. Australia's dependence on the U.K. was even greater before the war, when, in the five years 1934-35 to 1938-39, the U.K. took 91% of her total exports. This occurred in spite of there being no restrictions on exports to other destinations, as there are under the present agreement with the U.K. In post-war years, however, a greater quantity has gone to British territories, being merely a diversion of supplies which normally would go to the U.K. brports to countries other than

. British territories and Australian dependencies in the Pacific have not regained their pre-war level. Japan and the Philippines are the two foreign countries which recently have taken much less than their pre-war volume of imports.

Before the war, a considerable proportion of the total carcase beef exports was chilled beef, which amounted to almost one-fifth of the total for the five years to 1938-39. The chilled beef trade was discontinued during the war because of shipping and other dirnulties and, except on a small experimental scale, has not been resumed since. Compared with pre-war imports into the U.K. from other countries, the proportion of Australian chilled to frozen beef shipped was small, usually about 90% of U.K.'s total beef imports being in the chilled form before the war. There are many difficulties associated with tha re-development of the Australian chilled beef trade, among which are the organization of a regular shipping service and a regular supply of chiller-type carcases.

When the Argentine trade is re-established (token shipments have recently reached the U.K.) her chilled beef may (probably will) offer serious competition to Australian frozen beef.

Marketing and M e w

Since 1939-40, beef and veal have been sold to the U.K under long-

THE SITUATION IN AUSTRALIA 7

over 2201b. and crops over 1581b.) shipped after Internal marketing of cattle is conducted on January 1, 1954. a "free" market basis, animals being sold by

Prices for representative types of beef for auction on the hoof, no system of selling by 1953-54, compared with those of the previous two carcase weight and quality being in force apart years and the "floor" (1950-51) prices are set out Srom the buyibg for export by the Australian in Table No. 1: Meat Board. The war-time and immediate post-

TABLE No. 1 : BEBF P'Z&ICRS : U.H. CONTRACT 1950-51 to 1953-54

(Pence per lb. f.o.b. Australia) 1950-51 1951-52 1953-54 Ox and heifer I Btg. I A.C. I Stg. 1952-53 I A.C. I stg. 1 A.E

1st qual. hinds . . . . . . . . 9.25 11.56 12.25 15.31 14.70 18.37 15.51 19.39 2nd qual. hinds . . .. . . 8.25 10.31 10.75 13.44 11.69 14.61 13.61 17.01

The "floor" price for all grades of ox, heifer and cow beef averages about 9.44. per lb or 78/8d. A.C. per 100 lb.

Under the agreement, Australia has the right to supply her traditional markets outside the U.K., which are, i n the main, Malaya, Malta, British West Indies, Hong Kong, New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. These countries take in the vicinity of 13,000 tons annually, a relatively small amount, but the trade is steady. AusOralia also has the right to develop and maintain trade with other markets, the quantity of meat (beef, veal, lamb and mutton) which may be shipped under this provision not to exceed 3% of the quantity shipped to the U.K. "or such other amount as may be agreed annually between the two G-overn- ments." This "free" market quota for 1953-54

I amounts in all to 8,500 tons (including a special L extra quota of 2,500 tons of mutton), compared

with 5,000 tons in 1952-53 (i.e. in both cases considerably in excess of the 3% limit). In Dhe last three ymrs small amounts out of this quota were sen* to test the UB.A. market. Up to 1952-53 these shipments brought quite praiitable returns, but the fall in U.S. prices late last year led to losses on 1952-53 shipments. All exports are sublect to the control of the

Australian Government. The Australian Meat Board, a body consisting mainly of meat producers and exporters and acting as agent for the Commonwealth Government, arranges for the purchase and shipment of U.K. contract meat, isauing each year (or whenever prices are varied), a schedule of prices which it L prepared to pay. Licenses are issued by the Meat Board to exporters for exports to destinations other than the U.K. or to U.K. W t r g of Food orders. All meat exported is inspected by Commonwealth O ~ C U ~ S .

war control of wholesale and retail prices of beef and veal, however, still operates except in West- ern Australia and Tasmania.

Home prices a t times vary widely from market to market, according to local seasonal conditions and other factors. Beef prices were a t a record high level last year, showing a considerable advance from 1951, as shown in Table No. 2.

Table No. 2 : AVERAGE BEEF PRICES AT MAIN KETS : A U S m a U

P950 to 1952 1 1950 1 1951 I 1952

Ox and/or heifer, (Shillings per 100 lb.) 650-700 lb. drsd.wt. 1st and 2nd exporrt quality:

Sydney . . . . . . 90/- Melbourne . . . . 96,'- Brisbane . . . . 83/-

Cows, 450-500 lb. drsd. wt. export quality

Sydney . . . . . . 81/- Melbourne . . . . 83/- Brisbane . . . . . . 80/-

The average yearly price for ox and/or heifer carcases, 650-7(E0 lb., a t Sydney, the most Important single market, was 27% higher in 1951 tihan in lthe previous year and in 1952, was 24% higher than in 1951. Prices a t other centres also showed appreciable increases. Brisbane prices are usually below Sydney's and Sydney's below Melbourne's, although this characteristic of the market did not apply to cow beef marketed a t Brisbane in 1951 and 1952. This was, perhaps, because breeding stock were being withheld from the market after the dmught.


Gommonwealth Government purchase prices may be regarded as a ''floor" for beef prices as, theoretically, if home prices fell below the pm- chase prices, suppliers would ten$ to sell to the Commonwealth Government for export to the U.K. These purchase prices are given in Table No. 3. For 1952-53 the purchase prices are the Australian equivalent of the U.K. agreement prices; they differ from May 1952 to the beginning of November 1952, when the Australian equivalent prices were increased by 10/W. per 100 lb. (Isd. per lb.) to encourage the filling of orders to outports for the U.K. Ministry of Food; and for the 1950-51 contract year Meat Board purchase prices were 8% less than the contract price Australian equivalents. Prices for 1953-54 are the Australian equivalent of the U.K. contract price less 8% retained for Meat Board funds.

with the 1952 average of 141/-. High prices ruled in the first half of 1952, the first eight months' average being 152/- per 100 lb.

As by far the larger part of the beef and veal produced is consumed at home, the market prospects within Australia are most important.

There is a continuing consumer preference for beef over the lower priced mutton, or the higher priced pigmeats, which has been maintained since before the war, no disproportionate movement in beef prices having taken place since the end of the war. Since the war Iamb has probably been beef's greatest competitor, high consumer incomes having led to a greater consumption of this higher priced meat. How-

TABLE NO. 3 : AVERAGE COlWMONWEALTPP GOVERNMENT PURCHASE PRICES : BEEF AND VEAL

1950-51 to 1953-54 (per 100 lb. f.ob.1

1950-51 1951-53 1952-53 1953-54(a) ( from I from nom I trom 1 from Apl. 13. 1951 Oct. 8, 1951 1 May 19, 1952 Nov. 3, 1952 Oct. 5. 1953

S. d. S. d. S. d. S. d. S. d. 113/7 136/3 141/8

1 AV. ox and heifer, 1st qual. . . .. . . 81/9 124/- AV. ox and heifer, 1st and 2nd qual. . . 78/11 108/8 119/1 130/4 135/5 AV. ox, heifer and cow, 1st and 2nd qual. 78/2 107/7 118/- 128/1 133/4 Boneless veal (stirk sides) . . . . . . 84/1 97/8 108/1 117/1 122/7 (a) B.A.E. flgures, previous flgures taken from Australian MeatBoard report.

i It will be noticed that the Commonwealth

Government average purchase price for ox and heifer beef (1st and 2nd quality) from May, 1952, was 119/ld. per 100 lb. f.o.b. (which, a t saleyards, would be about 4/- less), considerably below the average price a t B~risbane saleyards of 132/-, which price was also far above the comparable U.K. agreement "floor" price of about 79/6d, per 100 lb.

Australian market prices for beef and veal in 1953 have been a t a lower level than the 1952 average price, but have not receded greatly from the level of prices ~u l ing in the later months of 1952. The average eight months' price for ox and/or heifer beef, 1st and 2nd export quality, a t Sydney was 124/- per 100 lb. compared

ever, lamb prices have shown a greater percentage rise than beef prices in recent years, and as consumer resistance increases, there may be a change back to beef.

I t appears unlikely that per capita consumption will rise to the pre-war level but, on the other hand, i t probably will not fall much below 120 lb. per head. With a population of nine millions (which should be attained within a year or two), 480,000 tons of beef would be required for home consumption. Demand of this magnitude is likely to ensure favourable prices for the beef producer, particularly as no great increase in production can be foreseen in the near future. Rather, a decline in cattle population, and consequently in slaughterings, may become

THE SITUATION IN AUSTRALIA 9

apparent within a year or two if the cyclical movement follows the usual pattern. Moreover, up to 1958, the annual U.K. contract price for Australia's exportable surplus provides a "floor" to the home market.

Australia has the guarantee of the U.K. contract, which assures her of a n oversea market for surplus supplies a t prices related to the cost of production under the detailed agreement, a t least until 1958. Moreover, there is no likelihood

of her losing her steady trade with near-by traditional markets.

The market exists, moreover, for expanded beef production. Increased production could lead to an easing of home prices and consequently a n increase in home per capita consumption. If the U.K. is to return to anything like her pre-war consumption, there is a market there for greater supplies, provided quality is maintained, particularly to meet possible competition from chilled beef from other countries.


THE SITUATION IN OTHER EXPORTING COUNTRI ES

Besides Australia, the main beef exporting countries are Argentina, Uruguay, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark and Eire. In 1938 Argentina supplied almost 60% of the world trade in carcase beef and veal; in 1951, her share of total exports was only about 35%. With Australia, the first four countries mentioned have been responsible for about 80% of world trade ino the last three years. Although Australia enjoys the security of a guaranteed market in the U.K. for her surplus, the situation in these other exporting countries (particularly Argentina and New Zealand, Australia's chief competitors) considerably affects the U.K.'s bargaining position in relation to her trade with Australia.

Traditionally, Argentina is Australia's main competitor on the U.K. beef market. Geographi- cally, she has a transport advantage over Aus- tralia. Moreover, her generally better quality beef has enjoyed a preference in the U.K. On the other hand, Australian beef enters the U.K. under preferential tariff conditions.

Production

According to the official November 1952 census figures, total cattle numbers a t that time (45.3 million) showed an increase over those of the previous census taken in May 1947, which gave a flgure of 42.3 million. The 1937 cattle population was 33.2 million head. There is some evidence that, a t one stage in the period between the two post-war censuses, cattle numbers fell considerably, due to a severe drought (in 1950) and because Government policy tended to favour secondary industry a t the expense of primary industries. Latterly, however, following renewed Government encouragement and sharp increases in export prices, the cattle population has grown appreciably.

Estimated production of beef and veal in post- war years has varied closely around 2,000,000 tons, production in 1938 being little more than 1,700,000 tons. Some decline from the post-war level took place in 1951, when, a s a consequence of the heavy slaughterings of young stock in 1950, production fell to about 1,850,000 tons. According to a n estimate quoted by the U.S.

Department of Agriculture, production in 1952 was approximately 1,870,000 tons. This estimzite is justified by the number of cattle marketed through the main market (Liniers) and purchased from ranches in 1952, which was 2% higher than in 1951.

Utilization

The estimated supplies of beef and veal available for hone consumption totalled 1,583,000 tons in 1951, about the level of the previous two years, but considerably above the 1,117,000 tons available in 1938. Total home consumption in 1952, for which there is no available estimate, probably differed little from that of the previous year. With the increase in population and the introduction of a weekly "meatless" day last year, average per capita consumption has fallen steadily over the past few years, but, a t 200 lb. in 1951, it was still well above the 1936 figure of 176 lb. Apart from her neighbour, Uruguay, Aigentina has a per capita consumption much higher than that of any other country, Australia ranking next with a n average post-war consumption of about 125 lb. per head.

In recent years Argentine exports of beef and veal have shown a rapid decline. In 1949, exports totalled 313,000 tons; by 1951, they had fallen to 118,000 tons. The volume of pre-war trade was far greater, being in the vicinity of 449,000 tons in 1938. Since the war, the increase in home consumption resulting from a greater per capita

l consumption by a larger population has greatly reduced the exportable surplus. Exports in 1952 apparently continued the decline of the previous years. The number of frozen beef carcases exported in 1952 was 9% lower than in the previous year, so; that total carcase exports of beef were probably not much above 100,000 tons.

The U.K. is Argentina's main customer, in 1952 taking half of the 1,600,000 frozen beef carcases shipped. Other important importers of Argentine beef are Italy and ,Western Germany, while Peru and Israel have imported substantial amounts in recent years.

Trade in meats with the U.K. is governed by the Anglo-Argentine Trade and Payments Agree- ment, whose five-year term expires on June 30, 1954. A protocol to this Agreement signed on

THE SITUATION IN OTHER EXPORTING COUNTRIES 11

December 31 last year covers trade arrangements for 1953, provision being made for purchase by the U.K. in 1953 of 256,000 tons of meat, including 238,000 tons of carcase meat. Of this 238,000 tons, 144,000 tons is to be carcase beef of ration quality, and 18,000 tons, carcase beef of manufacturing quality. In the previous year, the shipment of 204,800 tons of carcase meat was provided for, including 90,500 tons of beef of ration quality and 16,500 tons of manufacturing quality. The shipment of this quantity was not nearly fulElled. This year's price for chiller "A" quality beef shipped frozen is E161 (stg.) per ton (21.6d. A.C. per lb.) compared with last year's E126 (stg.) per ton (16.9d. A.C. per lb.).

Marketing and Outlook Fat cattle prices in Argentina have risen

steeply in recent years, the January 1953 price for steers of export quality a t the Liniers market being more than three times the comparable price in 1950. However, the increase in the price of beef has apparently had no adverse affects on home consumption.

Cattle marketings a t the main Argentine market in the Erst quarter of 1953 were about 30% below those of the same quarter of 1952. If this is to be taken as indicative of this year's trend in marketings, production this year will be below even the low level of the previous two years.

• However, with the present high cattle population and recent low marketings i t would be reasonable to expect marketings, and production, to begin

I rising in the near future, particularly as the trend in prices has been sharply upward. Ship- ments of carcases for the Erst quarter of 1953 show a great increase on those for the Erst quarter of 1952. I t is doubtful, however, whether, even with some restriction on domestic consumption, Argentina's exportable surplus will be suflicient to meet the U.K. agreement quota.

Under Argentina's second Five-year Plan terminating in December, 1957, a great increase in the volume of beef exports is envisaged. It is planned that the country will have ,by 1957 a n annual exportable surplus of 380,000 tons of beef, while a LO% increase in the 1951 cattle population has been set as a target. The exports goal is far greater than any year's exports since the war and wil l be attained, it seems, only a t the expense of home consumption. Apparently it is hoped that increases in total domestic consumption will occur in other meats rather than in beef. If the

planned increases In crop acreages are to be a,chieved also, it appears that an increase in cattle numbers and beef production can occur only if some drastic change in land use is undertaken.

URUGUAY As a beef producing country, Urugauy is

similar to Argentina; i t has the same open-range method of cattle raising and, like Argentina, is a n important contributor to European markets. Production

The cattle population in 1951 was a n estimated eight million head, slightly below the 1937 figure. Later estimates of cattle numbers are unavail- able. One estimate (by the U.S. Department of Agriculture) places production of beef and veal in 1952 a t about 280,000 tons, the previous year's estimated production being about 310,000 tons and the average of 1946 to 1950, 240,000 tons. Exports and Marketing

Unlike Argentina's, Uruguay's exports of beef and veal have increased rapidly since the war and now approach the pre-war level. In 1951, export8 amounted to 61,200 tons, compared with 64,900 tons in 1938. The main destination was the U.K. which took about one-quarter of the 1951 exports. Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands together took another one-third.

Shipments to the U.K. this year are being made under the terms of the U.K.-Uruguay meat contract signed in March. The Uruguayan Government has undertaken to sell to the U.K. Government not less than 30,000 tons of carcase meat and 2,000 tons of canned corned meat, a n increase of 10,000 tons of carcase meat on the quantity specifled under the previous contract. Twenty-Eve thousand tons of beef (including 3,000 tons of manufacturing beef) are included in the carcase meat quota. The prices payable are similar to those payable under the U.K.- Argentina agreement and the resumption of shipments of chilled beef a t E181 stg. per ton is provided for.

According to the estimated exports for the Erst quarter, the rate of shipment has been higher this year than last, but slightly below the average rate for %he years 1949 to 1952.

NEW ZEALAND As New Zealand enjoys the same tariff

preferences as Australia, she has always been a strong competitor on the U.K. meat market,


particularly with sheep meats. Like Australia, she is also a n important sterling area supplier. She, however, suffers a slight freight disadvan- tage compared with Australia, but this is over- come, to a certain extent, by the better quality of N.Z. beef, which has, inc the past, seriously competed with Australian beef, especially in the chilled trade.

Production Total cattle numbers in N.Z. have shown a

steady increase since the war. On January 31, 1952, they numbered 5,165,000 head, compared

Exports to the U.K. last year were only about half those of 1951, as N.Z. supplies normally going to this destination were diverted to the U.S.A. under a three-way agreement with Canada and the U.K. This agreement resulted in Canada taking part of New Zealand's share of the U.K. market in exchange for Canada's market in the U.S.A. Canadian meats were for- bidden entry into the U.S.A. last year because of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Canada. An arrangement was therefore made under which Canadian meat was shipped to the U.K. under U.K.-N.Z. contract terms in exchange

TABLE No. 4 : SLAUGHTERINGS OF CATTLE AND CALVES AND BEEF AND VEAL PRODUCTION : NEW ZEALAND

1 1938-39 1 1949-50 1 1950-51 1 1951-52 Total slaughterings ('000 head) . . . . . ., . . 1,616 1,895 1,929 1,982 Production ('000 tons) . . . . . . . . . . . . 163.0 185.4 177.2 192.1 with 4,469,000 head in 1938. Of the 1952 popula- for N.Z. beef and pork, which was sold in the tion the record number of 2,282,000 head were U.S.A. Under the agreement, N.Z. shipments to beef cattle, numbers of which have shown a the U.S.A., negligible in previous years, amounted gradual rise since the war. to about 26,500 tons.

Slaughterings and production of beef and veal have exhibited an upward trend since the end of the war, rising to a record peak in 1951-52. Table No. 4 shows slaughterings and production for the years 1938-39 and 1949-50 to 1951-52 (season October-September).

Utihat ion

Roughly half of the beef and veal produced is consumed at home, total domestic consumption in the three years to 1951-52 being 96,900 tons, 104,400 tons and 102,300 tons respectively and per capita consumption, 114 lb., 121 lb. and an estimated 117 lb. A slightly greater proportion entered home consumption before the war, per capita consumption being 127 lb. in 1938.

Exports of beef and veal in 1952 amounted 'to 56,550 tons, 14,650 tons more than in the previous year, but a little below the average volume exported in the years since 1947. In 1938, exports of beef and veal were 51,700 tons. All but a small proportion of N.Z!s exports go to the U.K. Of the 42,900 tons exported in 1951, 38,800 tons was taken by the U.K. In the same year, another 1,000 tons were shipped to the Netherlands and Germany. Small shipments are usually made to the Paciflc Islands.

Marketing and Outlook N.Z!s trade arrangements with the U.K. are

similar to Australia's. She has a long-term (15- year) agreement with the U.K. expiring on September 30, 1967 which, while being in more general terms than the Australian agreement, offers N.Z. a guaranteed market in the U.K. for her exportable surplus of meat. A more detailed, short-term agreement, expiring on September 30, 1955, contains price provisions and provides for the purchase of N.Z.'s exportable surplus of meat after reserving mutually agreed-upon quotas for other markets. Prices are reviewed annually, but are subject to a maximum annual variation of 10% above or below the previous year's price, reference to be made to changes in prices paid by the U.K. elsewhere, and "if either party desires a greater variation ban this, changes in N.Z. conditions and production costs will be taken into account!, Prices for the 1952-53 season are, on average, 124% above those of the previous year. Average representative prices under the agreement for 1951-52 and 1952-53 are shown in Table No. 5.

The contract prices were about the same as Australia's for 1951-52, but for 1952-53 were somewhat less, Australia receiving a 20% increase in

THE SITUATION I N OTHER EXPORTING COUNTRIES 13

price as against N.Z.'s 124%. Exports to other steadily over the past few years and 1952 destinations as well as to the U.K. are made slaughtering showed only a slight reversal of under the supervision of the New Zealand Meat this tendency. In 1952, about 1,800,000 head of Producer's Board. cattle and calves were slaughtered, compared

Domestic prices have risen sharply over the with 1,734,000 in the previous year. The resur- last few years. Whereas the 1950 average price gence of foot and mouth disease resulted in more for prime bullocks and steers (dressed carcase marketable cattle being retained on farms.

TABLE No. 5 : BEEF PRICES : U.K. CONTRACT 1951-52 to 1952-53

(pence per lb. f.o.b.) 1961-62 I 1952-63 I stg. I A.C. I stg. I A.C.

Bone-in ox and heifer, G.A.Q. all weights, sides 10.96 13.70 12.33 (a) 15.41 Bone-in ox and heifer, F.A.Q. all weights, sides 9.76 12.19 10.98 (a) 13.73

(a) 12%% added to the previous year's price.

weight) was 494/- (N.Z.) per head, the average Production from all slaughterings amounted to in 1951 was 626/- (N.Z.) and for the flrst half 368,000 tons in 1952, about the same as in 1951. of 1952, about 15% higher. More recent prices The output of beef and veal has fallen since show a further increase. 486,000 tons were produced in 1947, but not to

Recent statistics (December quarter, 1952) the level Of 337,000 show little variation in production from 195-1, but a somewhat lower domestic consumption. Utilisation Production of meat for export in 1952-53 showed a decrease from the previous season's flgures. For the nine months of the export season commencing October 1952, production of beef and veal for export totalled 34,737 tons, compared with 40,285 tons for the same period of the 1951- 52 season, and 32,577 tons in 1950-51.

CANADA

From the position of a beef exporter of little importance before the war, Canada has risen to almost equal ranking with Australia and New Zealand in the post-war years. However, largely because of the sterling area post-war dollar shortage, Canada has not competed recently with these countries on the U.K. market; , the bulk of Canada's exports since the war have gone to the U.S.A.

Production The total cattle population in December, 1952

was 12% higher than in the previous year and 10% above that of 1938; in post-war years it has shown a gradual rise. Cattle, other than milk cows, numbered 5,893,000 in 1952 compared with 5,084,000 in 1951.

Inspected slaughterings of cattle have declined

The greater part of the beef output is consumed at home, where per capita consumption has fallen since 1947 to 51.5 lb. in 1952, compared with the 1938 figure of 68 lb. In 1952 exports fell considerably, from 41,700 tons in the previous year, 40 29,800 tons, the smallest volume for some years, M a result of the embargo placed on Canadian imports by the U S B after the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. In 1938, however, exports were only 2,400 tons. In 1952, also, the bulk of the beef and veal exported (28,300 tons) went tn the U s under the Wee-way agreement already described in the N.Z. section. The U.8. embargo was lifted in March this year and normal trade with the U.S.A. has been resumed.

The Canadian support programme for agricultural products was extended in 1952 to apply to beef prices. Up to March 1953, when the U.B. embargo was lifted, the support, or minimum price to producers was $23 (about E10/10/- A.C.) per 100 lb. live weight for good (finished) steers a t Toronto. Since the withdrawal of support, upon the lifting of the embargo, prices have fallen to around $20 per 100 lb.


For the first six months of 1953 production from inspected slaughtering was 175,100 tons, 32,200 tons above those of the same period in the previous year. The increase probably resulted from the lifting of restrictions concerning foot and mouth disease. For this reason, too, exports for the flve months show a more than three-fold increase over last year's similar period. The bulk of this year's trade has been with the U.K. However, with the resumption of the U.S. trade, shipments to the U.K. are now likely to cease. As a consequence of the relatively large cattle population and low slaughterings of recent years an increase in production may be expected in the near future.

EIRE

By reason of its proximity to the U.K., Eire is the major supplier of live cattle to that market. It also exports considerable quantities of carcase beef to the U.K.

Cattle numbers, at a n estimated 3.9 million head in January, 1953, were only slightly greater than in the previous year, but 0.3 million greater than in 1938.

Exports of live cattle were about 482,000 head in 1952, about the level of post-war years but far below the 702,000 head exported in 1938. In recent years the trend has been towards the export of carcase beef. >Total carcase exports in 1952 were 25,600 .tons, compared with 16,300 tons In 1951 and 129 tons in 1938. More than 90% of the live cattle exported, in 1952 were shipped to %he U:K. and more than half of the carcase beef went to the same destination. Almost a quarter of the aarcase beef exported was taken by the U.S.A.

Hire has a trade agreement with the U.K. which, under a n annex signed recently, expires on June 30, 1955, unless private trading in the c o m m ~ t i e s concerned is resumed in the mean- time. Under the recent annex Eire has agreed

to send to the U.K. not less than 90% of its total exports of live cattle and carcase beef. Under the agreement, the difference in the U.K. Ministry of Food prices for fat cattle bred in the U.K. and for those imported from EXre and fattened for a minimum of two months in the U.K. may not exceed 4/6d. stg. per live cwt.

Compared with the same period of 1952, exports for the first flve months of 1953 show an increase of almost 2,000 tons of carcase beef, a fall in frozen beef exports being more than compensated for by a rise in exports of chilled beef and veal. Total exports in terms of live cattle are considerably lower, live cattle exports being only about one-third of last year's.

DENMARK

Denmark has always been a n important supplier of beef and veal, particularly as live cattle to West European countries.

The number of cattle in Denmark a t December, 1952, was 2,953,000 head, a little above the previous year's population of 2,932,000 but below the 1939 figure of 3,252,000 head. Almost half the present population are dairy cows.

Production of beef and veal in 1952 is pro- visionally placed a t 177,000 tons, 26,000 tons less than in the previous year, when slaughterings of stock were heavy. The 1938 output was 173,000 tons.

Total exports of live cattle and beef and veal, kxpressed in terms of cattle, were 15% lower in 1952 than in 1951. Although there was a considerable fall in the numbers of live cattle exported because of restrictions arising from an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, about two-thirds of cattle exports-were on the hoof. Carcase beef and veal exports were more than double the previous year's 16,600 tons. Most of the live cattle are exported to Germany, and the bulk of the carcase beef and veal is taken by European countries. This trade is likely to continue.

IV : THE SITUATION IN THE

After falling steadily since the end of the war, world trade in carcase beef and veal sharply declined in 1951 and 1952. Imports of the ten major importing countries in 1947 were in the vicinity of 610,000 tons, whereas in 1951, they were abo$ 324,000 tons and, in 1952, probably less than 300,000 tons. In 1938, the comparable volume of imports was about 720,000 tons. The post-war fall in trade has been largely due to a great decline in imports by the U.K. due principally to non-availability of supplies. In 1938, the U.K. took 585,000 tons or 81% of total carcase beef and veal entering the major importing countries; in 1951, the U.K. imported 158,000 tons, or 48% of the total, and the 1952 proportion will probably be still less.

The imports of the next major pre-war importer, Germany, have also fallen considerably (from 66,300 tons in 1938 to 16,800 tons in 1951" and 10,600 tons in 1952), although pre-war flgures included imports of Eastern Germany. On the other hand, U.S.A., one of the minor importers before the war, imported 70,900 tons in 1951 and 59,200 tons in 1952. As in pre-war years, Italy was the third major importer in

1 1952.

UNITED KINGDOM

Although the U.K. has imported sharply decreasing quantities of beef and veal since the war, she is still by far the largest importing country. Her average imports in the five yeqrs 1g47 to 1951 were 344,000 tons annually, or alinost 70% of the total quantity which entered the chief importing countries. Even in 1951, when her imports had dropped to a low level, the U.K. took about half of the beef and veal entering world trade.

Production

Although she is the largest beef importer, the U.K. herself has a thriving beef cattle industry. In recent years more than two-thirds of the supplies available for consumption have been. provided from home production and this proportion has been increasing as home production rises and per capita consumptiori falls.

Numbers of cattle, other than dairy stock, were 5,181,000 head in June, 1953, compared with

MAIN" IMPORTfNG COUNTRIES

5,000,000 head in the previous ear. Since 1950, the livestock population has remaitled fairly stable at about this level. Before the war (June, 1939), the comparable figure was 4,353,000 head.

Total purchases of livestock for slaughter (excluding live cattle imported) amounted to 3,058,000 head in 1952, slightly below the previous year's figure, which was 3,389,000 head. In 1952, 580,800 tons of beef and 26,000 tons of veal were produced, the production in 1951 being 624,100 tons of beef and 27,900 tons of veal. There has been a fairly steady upward trend in beef production since the war and in recent years production has become stable a t a level close to the pre-war output of 604,700 tons of beef and veal in 1938.

Imports of carcase beef and veal have declined Steeply in post-war years, as is shown in Table IX, largely because supplies available from her major suppliers have been decreasing. From 509,800 tons In 1947, imports had fallen to 133,400 tons in 1952. In 1938 imports totalled 588,700 tons.

There has been an almost complete cessation of chilled beef imports, only nominal amounts being imported since the war, whereas in 1938, 448,200 tons (or 76% of the total quantity of carcase beef and veal imported) was chilled beef. In post-war years, with the great demand for beef in the U.K., exporters have not been forced to chill beef to compete successfully with home- produced meats. However, U.K. consumers are now becoming more discriminating and small amounts of chilled beef are again appearing on the market and trade in this class of beef may be expected to continue on a n increasing scale.

Argentina has supplied more than half of the carcase beef imported by the U.K. since 1949. Almost all the supplies entering the U.K. in recent years have come from that country, Aus- tralia, Mew Zealand and Uruguay. For the four years to 1952 these countries supplied the follow- fng percentages of the U.K.'s imports: Argen- tina, 52%; Australia, 17%; New Zealand, 16%; Uruguay, 11%. Imports of carcase beef from Australia declined substantially last year-from 42,000 tons in 1951 to 10,900 tons, while New Zea- land's cbntribution to U.K. imports was 13,000 tbas less '%ban the 1951 volume of 32,800 tons.

16 THE BEEF SlTUATl ON, OCTOBER 1953

Last year Canada entered the U.K. market for the f i s t time since 1948, shipping some 24,700 tons under the three-way agreement. Imports from the Argentine were about 10,000 tons greater than in the previous year.

Consumption

Because of the great decline in imports, estimated supplies of beef and veal avallable for consumption in the U.K. are now much less than before the war. Carcase beef and veal supplies declined from 966,000 tons in 1950 to 729,000 tons in 1952; in 1938, they amounted to 1,190,000 tons. Accordingly, per capita consumption has fallen sharply, from 55 lb. in 1938 to 33 lb. in 1951 and to a n estimated 30 lb. in 1952. During the war and post-war years, consumption has been limited by the supplies available, and rationing has been in force. In recent months, however, the meat ration has risen from l/9d. to %/M. worth of meat per person per week and some meats have been sold off the ration for a limited period.

Marketing W supplies of beef and veal are held by the

U.K. Ministry of Food, both home-produced and imported meat being distributed to the retail trade by the officially sponsored Wholesale Meat Supply Association, a t prices controlled by the Ministry. Under the Agriculture Act of 1947 the home producer is guaranteed prices and assured markets for his produce. Price reviews are carried out annually and, based on these, guaranteed prices to the producer are fixed for the following 12 months. A longer term guarantee is also provided by the fixing in alternate years of minimum prices for four years in advance. In the 12 months ended February 1953, the estimated average price, including a quality premium, for fat cattle (average of steers, heifers and young cows) was 127/9d. stg. (159/8d. A.C.) per live cwt. For 1953-54 an average price increase of S/- stg. per live cwt. has been granted. As changes in grading are expected and because-of seaaonallty of marketing, this average is not directly comparable with tlie 1952-53 average, but i t does give a n indication of the magnitude of the increase. The longer term minimum prices (average of steers, heifers and special young cows, including quality premiums) are 95/- stg. (118/8d. A.C.) per live cwt. for 1953-54 and 113/6d. stg. (141/10d. A.C.) for the succeeding two years. Meat has been

subsidized to the consumer Since 1939-40, the sub&@ amounting to a n average of %d. per lb. retail for carcase meat in 1952-53.

All imports of carcase meat are subject to the control of the U.K. Ministry of Food. The bulk of the UX. supplies enters the country under a trade agreement of some kind. Agreements gov- erning trade in carcase beef and veal exist with Australia, New Zealand, Eire, Argentina and Uruguay. Details of these agreements are given in the sections dealing with the respective countries. Under the agreements, Australia and N.Z. are obliged to provide the U.K. with increasing supplies over a long term, while Argentina and Uruguay are obliged to deliver specific quantities in a particular year, and Eire to provide not less than 90% of total exports annually. In return, the U.K. offers varying degrees of price guarantee.

Outlook

The U.K. Ministry of Food has tentatively estimated that supplies of carcase meat in 1953 will be more than 1.8 million tons, compared with the provisional figure of 1.6 million tons for the previous year and about 2.2 million tons before the war. Some slight increase in home production on the 1952 figure of 1.0 million tons is forecast and imports are likely to be some 30,000 tons higher than in 1952.

Beef and veal production in the U.K. for the first five months of 1953 amounted to 201,200 tons, 180,200 tons being produced in the same period of 1952. As peak production is usually reached later in the year, it is dimcult to forecast the year's production. However, the number of cattle (other than dairy cows) in England and Wales is 4% higher than in 1952, so that i t may reasonably be expected that 1953 production will be slightly higher than the 606,000 tons produced in 1952.

Total imports of beef and veal for the six months ended June 1953 amounted to 122,600 tons, which compares with the 1952 six months' imports of 72,900 tons. It seems probable, therefore, that the year's imports will be considerably above the 1952 total of 117,600 tons.

Supplies this year are likely to exceed by far last year's low volume and probably will total in the vicinity of 850,000 tons, Even with supplies at this level, however, per capita comumption WU still be below the pre-war figure. Any further

THE SITUATION IN THE MAIN IMPORTING COUNTRIES 17

large increase in home production is unlikely. tons. Exports since the war have been to Can&da, Beef and veal enjoy some consumer preference Newfoundland, Venezuela and Cuba. over sheepmeats and the U.K. market for this The main sources of imports in recent years class of meat shows no sign of weakening in the have been Canada (in a cross-border trade), short-term future. Argentina, ~ e x i c o , ' Eire and New Zealand (in

1952). Last year imports from Canada ceased UNITED STATES OF AIVlERICA when the U.S.A. placed a n embargo on them be-

Although by far the world's largest producer of beef and veal, the U.S.A. has, since the war, become an importer second only to the U.K. The U.S. market for imported beef is, however, rather unstable, demand varying with fluctuations in local production, and imports are only a small proportion (about 4% in 1952) of total supplies.

Production

The number of cattle (other than dairy cattle) on farms has shown a steeply rising trend over the past five years, the cattle population being in the upward phase of the cattle cycle. From 41.0 million in 1948 the beef cattle population has risen to 56.8 million head in 1953. In 1938 the colnparable Agure was 30.5 million head. The 1953 cattle population is the greatest ever, but if the cyclical movement in cattle numbers exhibits its usual pattern, cattle numbers will rise even higher in the next two years.

I Total commercial slaughter of cattle and calves in 1952 amounted to 25,766,000 head, a n increase of about one million head on the previous year's figure. In 1952, production from all slaughter ing~ (including those on farm) was 4,298,000 tons of beef and 522,000 tons of veal, the 1951 outputs being 3,947,000 tons and 474,000 tons respectively. Except for a fall in 1951, production since 1948 has varied only slightly from the 1952 level and has remained far above the 1938 production of 3,083,000 tons of beef and 444,000 tons of veal.

Ut i ia t ion

U.S. foreign trade in carcase beef and veal in 1952 consisted of the import of 59,200 tons and the export of 6000 tons. (Rather more than half of the imports are canned beef.) Apart from abnormal shipments to Europe in 1946 and 1947, U.S. exports have never been heavy and she is usually a net importer. In 1951 imports were 70,900 tons, exports being 4,300 tons, while in 1938 the U.S.A. was a net exporter of carcase beef, exporting 5,300 tons and importing 1,500

cause of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. As already mentioned, New Zealand took the place of Canada on the U.S. market, being by far the major exporter of frozen beef to the U.S.A. in 1952. Pickled or cured beef forms a n important part of U.S. imports, being 27,000 tons or 45% of total carcase beef imports in 1952. Most of this t m e of beef comes from Mexico and Argentina. c o z e n or chilled beef from Argentina is not permitted entry into the U.S.A.

Consumption of beef and veal in the U.S.A. in 1952 amounted to 4,725,000 tons, a per capita consumption of 68.1 lb. per head, which compares with 61.2 lb. in 1938. Since the war per capita consumption has declined steadily from a peak of 79.3 lb. in 1947, partly owing to increased consumption of pork and poultry and the relatively .high prices ruling for beef. Total consumption in 1951 was 4,226,000 tons and in 1938, 3,595,000 tons. Beef and veal meet severe competition from other meats in the U.S.A. but, even so, her per capita consumption is exceeded in only four other countries.

Marketing and Outlook

The U.S. support programme, which in effect guarantees a return to the producer based on a certain purchasing power of the commodity, does not apply to beef, the industry having refused to accept the support system when prices were high. However, the U.S. Department of Agricul- ture does at times buy quantities of beef, which helps to bolster falling prices. Beef prices over the last year have fallen sharply, mainly because prolonged drought conditions ih the South-west led producers to rush large numbers of cattle to market. The Chicago price for the first week in July 1953 averaged $22.82 (E10/4/- A.C.) per 100 lb. live weight for choice steers, as against the quotation of $33.21 (E14/16/- A.C.) a year earlier.

Production in 1953 has been a t a very high level, commercial slaughterings in the first half of the year being more than 30% greater than last year. With comparatively low prices ruling, beef and veal consumption has risen and the

18 THE BEEF SITUATI( IN, OCTOBER 1953

yearly average may be about l2 lb. greater than- in 1952, or 80 lb. per head. Imports th is year have been a t a very low level; to such an extent that stocks a t the end of April were below lsst year's. It is highly probable that the rate of imports will increase later in the year.

With prices one-third or more lower this year, the U.S. market is less profitable to exporting countries than previously. Moreover, high tarifl's and stringent quarantine regulations discourage imports.

Recently (before the sharp fall in prices) Aus- tralia made small shipments of canned and carcase beef to the U.S.A. which were sold a t a reasonable profit in spite of the high tariff. As far as Australia is concerned, however, i t seems that the U.S., in the near future a t least, offers neither a stable nor a large market.

WESTERN GE

Western Germany's imports have fallen sharply compared with pre-war flgures, largely because of the fall in supplies from Argentina. She is, however, still an importer of some importance.

The greater part of Western Cuennany's supplies is produced locally, although imports of live cattle are important. Production since the war has shown a continual climb towards the pre-war level.'In 1952, 564,000 tons of beef and veal were produced, the 1935-38 average output being 662,000 tons. Although there was a slight fall in slaughterings of calves in 1952, cattle slaughterings increased by more than 2%, so that beef and veal production may have been a little above that of 1951.

Imports of carcase beef and veal have declined since 1949, when 25,000 tons were imported. Imports in 1952 amounted to 10,600 tons, compared with 16,800 tons in the previous year. In 1938, imports were many times greater, belng 66,200 tons. Argentina, the main supplier, provided 7,200 tons in 1952, a great drop from the 50,000 tons supplied in 1938. Uruguay, too, Is an important supplier.

Western Germany also imports considerable numbers of live cattle and calves, 1952 imports totalling 182,300 head, 7,300 head below those of 1951. It is apparent that part of the deficiency in carcase beef supplies has been made up in thla way, as numbers imported in 1938, at 172,500, were-somewhat less than average post-war im-

ports. Total supplies available for home consumption in 1952 probably varied little from the 628,000 tons available in 1951. Per capita consumption, a t 28 lb. in 1951, was well below the 1938 figure of 39 lb.

Slaughterings of cattle and calves for the flrst quarter of 1953 were considerably above those of the same quarter last year. Imports for the flrst five months, too, were greater than last year's comparable figures. Although 1953 home production is likely to be appreciably above that of 1952, such is the low level of supplies in post- war Germany that imports are not likely to be affected. This is borne out by the high rate of imports this year.

ITALY

Italy's importance as a n importer, particularly of live cattle, has grown since the war. This has occurred in spite of a considerable increase in home production. On a per head basis, however, Italy is not an important consumer of beef and veal.

Domestic production supplies most of the re- quirements (about four-flfths in 1952). In 1952 it is estimated that about 280,000 tons of beef and veal were produced, about the level of the previous year but considerably below the 1938 production of 330,000 tons. Post-war production shows a gradually rising trend, from a "trough" of 163,000 tons in 1947.

Imports of beef and veal were 39,200 tons in 1952, the previous year's figure being 31,000 tons and the figure for 1938,26,700 tons. Argentina and Uruguay are usually the major suppliers, but in 1952, Denmark supplied more than either. Num- bers of live cattle imported have increased almost three-fold since before the war, in 1952 being 106,200, in 1951, 125,400 and in 1938, 41,900 head. Continental European countries supply the live animals, Denmaxk and Yugoslavia being the chief suppvers in 1951 and 1952.

Total supplies in 1952 (including the carcase equivalent of live cattle) were about 5% below those in 1938. As population increased by about 7% over the same period, per capita consumption was apparently considerably below the pre-war level. If consumption is again to approach this level, imports may be expected to show a moderate rise.

V : THE CANNED MEATS SITUATION

AUSTRALIA to 1938-39 amounted to about 6,500 tons annually. A rapid expansion in Australian canned meat

production took place during the war to meet service needs and, since then, production hss remained at a high level. As shown in Table V and the graph on page 5 a ~onsidera~ble pro- portton (about 12% on average for the three years ended 1951-52) of the beef and veal produced is eventually canned. In Australia, Nth total and per capita consumption have increased since before the war, while, in oversea trade, canned meat has become as important as all other classes of meat combined: in 1952-53 exports of canned meat were valued at £32.2 million, exports of all other meats returning £32.1 million.

aPaducti@n Beef is the most important of the meats canned.

Of the 1952-53 output of 94,400 tons, 57,700 tons had beef as the major component. In that year production comprised 22,400 tons of canned corned beef, 7,900 tons of minced beef, 27,400 tons of other beef packs, 6,200 tons of bacon and ham and 30,500 tons of other meat packs. The 1952-53 production of canned meats was a record, run- ning parallel to the record production of beef and veal and the high level of output of other meats. The previous record canning of meats occurred in 1942-43, when almost 82,000 tons were produced. The 1951-52 production was 85,200 tons and the 1950-51 production 56,300 tons, far above the pre-war (1936-37 to 1938-39) average output of 11,300 tons. Victoria has been the chief producer of canned meats. 1952-53 production being 36,300 tons, or 38% of .the t o t a l . 1952-53 there was a great increase in the quantities produced by Queensland and New 6011th Wales as a result of the increased slaughtering8 in those States.. Queensland produced 35,600 tons or M%, and New South Wales, 18,900 tons or 20% of the Australian output.

From a post-war peak consumption of 3.6 lb. per head in 1949-50, per capita consumption fell to 2.3 lb. in 1951-52 and an estimated 2.0 lb. in 1952-53. Statistics of pre-war consumption are not available separately for canned meats, but per capita consumption is considered to have been about 2.1 lb.

Exports of all classes of canned meats in 1952-53 were a record a t 102,300 tons, far above the 1951-52 exports of 54,500 tons and the 1950-51 exports of 45,200 tons. Of exports in 1952-53, packs containing beef and veal as the main component amounted to 24,700 trons, compared with the previous year's 23,500 tons. Bst-war shipments of canned meats were many times the pre-war average (1936-37 to 1938-39) of 5,200 tons, largely because of the development of the market for Australian canned meats in the U.K. The U.K. now takes the bulk of Australia's exports, in 1951-52 almost 80%, and in 1950-51, about 90%, of the canned meats exported going to this destination. Of other destinations, the most important in recent years have been &uth Africa, West Africa, Malaya, New Guinea, British West Indies and Canada.

aanned meats are not included in the Fifteen Year Meat Agreement with the U.K. However, in order to ensure that one main objective of the agreement is achieved, i.e. an increase in the export of carcase meat to the U.K., the Austra- lian Meat Board #regulates the quantities, classes and destinations of canned meat shipments.

Outlook

There is no reason t o expect any great decline in Australian per capita canned meat consumption to much below the pre-war level. After the war-time experience, canned meats have become more than ever an accepted pafi of the diet of the Ausbralian people; they help fill the demand for meat when there are seasonal shortages of carcase meats and prices are high. As population

UWzation increases, total home demand may be expected Australian consumption of canned meats in 60 show a gradual rise from the present level

1952-53 is estimated to be below the 8,900 tons of a b u t 9,000 tons per annum. consumed in 1951-52, which was below the 11,800 In the U.K. the market for canned meats has tons consumed in 1950-51. Before the war the developed largely as a result of the war-time average total consumption for the years 1936-37 and post-war shortage of carcase meats and

20 THE BEEF SlTUATl ON, OCTOBER 1953

since the war Australia has captured part of the Argentine's pre-war share of that market. Recently, however, with a n increase in the carcase , ration and as consumers become mole discriminating, demand in the U.K. has eased considerably. This tendency will be further accentuated by a probable increase i n home plroduction in the near future. However, although Australia faces serious competition from Contin- ental supplies of canned meats, she appears to have established herself as a supplier a t the expense of the Argentine. With efficient selling methods and maintenance of quality, Australia should be able to maintain a profitable market for canned meats in the U.K. Markets elsewhere are being developed steadily.

OTHER EXPORTING COUNTRIES

The main countries contributing to world exports of canned meats in post-war years have been Argentina, Australia and Uruguay. In recent years France, Denmark and the Netherlands have also been important suppliers. Trade in canned meats has more than doubled since before the war, 1951 exports from the chief exporting countries being 360,000 tons, a s against 160,0130 tons exported in 1938. The share of this trade enjoyed by Argentina, the mabor exporting country before and after the war, had fallen from almost one half in 1938 to almost 30% in 1951. Recently, Brazil, an important pre-war exporter, has sold only very small quantities, while Australia, a minor exporter before the war, ranked next to Argentina in 1951.

The bulk of Argentine production is exported, the main destination being the U.S.A., where Argentine carcase m a t is not permitted entry. Normally a n important importer, the U.K. took only 6% of Argentina's exports in 1952, as against 28% in 1951, quota restrictions being applied to Argentine imports since the end of 1951. Conse- quent upon the easing of the U.K. demand for canned meats, the canned meats quota under the U.K.-Argentine Agreement has been reduced from 30,000 tons last year to 17,800 tons in 1953. Exports in 1952 amounted to 53,000 tons, 45% less than in 1951 and 29% lower than before the war, but for the first quarter of 1953 they show a 60% increase on the same period of last year. It seems likely that, although Argentine canned meat may face a slackening demand in the U.K., the U.S. market will remain relatively stable.

Uruglaay exported about 12,500 tons of canned meat in 1951, exports in 1950 being 21,600 trons and, in 1938, 21,900 tons. The U.S.A. and the U.K. are the two main purchasers. Because of a fall in the U.K.'s imports because of quota restrictions, the total quantity taken by both these countries in 1952 was less than a quarter of that in 1951. Under the U.K.-Uruguay meat contract the Uruguayan Government has undertaken to sell to the U.K. not less than 2,000 tons of canned corned meat. Up to the end of May, 1953, exports to the U.K. were negligible. Like Argentina, Uruguay has a relatively stable market in the U.S.A. but demand in the U.K. appears to have weakened.

France, D e m r k and Netherlands exported 36,700, 44,600 and 48,100 tons respectively i n 1951, total exports by the three countries in 1938 being about 17,600 tons. Trade in 1952 was considerably less than in the previous year, the effecls of the U.K. import restrictions being felt. &ports from these countries go largely to the U.K. Shipments from the two latter countries, particularly, have consisted mainly of canned pigmeats. It appears likely that, because of their proximity and their being non-dollar suppliers, these countries will continue to enjoy some preference in the U.K. and will continue to export substantial quantities to that market.

IMPORTING COUNTRIES

The import trade in canned m a t s is domin- l

ated by the U.K. and the U.S.A. In 1951 the U.K. imported approximately two-thirds, and the U.S.A. about one-fifth, of total imports of the main importing countries. The relative position of these two countries has altered only slightly since before the war, when the U.K. took about 60% of the total compared with the U.S.A.'s 25%. The next two important importing countfies in 1951 were Venezuela, with 4%, and Canada, with 3%.

The United Kingdom relies mainly on imports for its supplies of canned meat, production in 1951, a t about 9,500 tons, being only 4% of total supplies. Apart from the wartime and post-war shortage of tin-plate, which has restricted home production, carcase meat is rationed to canners, home produced carcase meat flnding a ready demand in the U.K.

THE CORNED MEATS SITUATION 21

Imports of canned meats in 1952 amounted to 190,600 tons, more than two-and-a-half times the 1938 volume (73,000 tons). Quota restrictions on imports of canned meats from non-sterling countries, imposed in November, 1951, resulted in 1952 imports being considerably below those of 1951 (224,700 tons). Canned beef and veal accounted for about 40% of the imports in 1952, canned pigmeats forming about one-quarter of the total.

The chief suppliers last year were Australia (35% of the total), Netherlands (19%), Denmark (11%), Eire (10%), France (5%) and Argentina (3%). The import quotas last year mainly affected the European exporters, imports from whom in 1952 were considerably below those of the previous year. Imports from Argentina were also greatly reduced in that year.

Compared with pre-war figures, total consumption of canned meats has more than doubled. Consumption in 1952 is estimated a t 175,000 tons, compared with an average annual consumption of 79,000 tons for the years 1934 to 1938. Per capita consumption has risen corres- pondingly. The shortage of carcase meats has led to higher consumption of canned meats, particularly of unrationed canned corned beef. The import quota for canned meats for 1953 shows practically no change from the 1952 quota. As home production increases and consumption falls as greater supplies of carcase beef become available, imports of canned meats may be expected to continue to decline moderately.

The United States af America is by far the largest producer of canned meat. Federally inspected production in 1952 amounted tio 603,000 tons, output in 1038 being only 135,000 tons. However, demand has increased to such a n

extent that imports of canned beef a t 53,500 tons in 1952 were 50% more than in 1938. Civilian consumption increased from 2.7 lb. in 1938 to 9.0 lb. per capita in 1952, the increase probably being the result of the war-time change in diet and the high prices ruling f,or carcase beef. Now that beef prices have fallen, there may be some fall in per capita consumption, but a big decline seems unlikely.

Venezuela has been a consistent importer of substantial quantities of canned meats since the war, mainly from the U.S.A. and Argentina. Canaab has always been a n importer of some consequencd, taking 4,600 tons in 1938 and 6,300 tons in 1952. A great increase in Canadian home production has been more than matched by a four-fold increase in per capita consumption. Western . European countries (particularly Western Germany, France and Switzerland) have taken appreciable amounts in recent years. Trade with these industrialized countries should continue with little diminution.

Generally, the world outlook for canned meats depends upon the U.K., the dominant importer. The market in the U.S.A. for a certain quantity will continue, but demand fluctuates according to home production and tariff barriers exist to prevent any serious competition with the home praduct. Argentina appears to have captured permanently a large share of the US. market. I n the U.K., demand may be expected to ease as both home production and supplies of carcase meat increase. World trade in the near future may, therefore, decline moderately from the high post-war level;


STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF THE BEEF SITUATION TABLE I : BEEF CATTLE POPULATION : BY STATES : AUSTRALIA

1948 to 1953

Year (as a t March 31) I N.S.W. 1 W C . 1 916. ( S.A. 1 W.A. I Tas. 1 N.T. I A 2 a 1 i a

'000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head 1948 .. .. .. .. 1,890 698 4,593 170 590 100 991 9,038 1949 . . . . . . . . 1,994 711 4,569 182 634 111 1,053 9,261 1950 . . . . . . . . 2,167 706 4,872 193 638 117 1,049 ' 9,750 1951 .. .. .. .. 2,457 727 5,294 189 618 115 1,019 10,427 1952 .. .. .. .. 2,416 776 5,138 201 621 111 1,058 10,327 1953(b) .. .. .. 2,404 820 5,378 231 612 113 936 10,501 (a) Including A.O.T. (b) Subject to revision. Source: Commonwealth Statistician.

TABLE n : CATTLE POPULATION : BY TYPE, AGE A ~ / O I R SEX - : A U S ~ ~ I A 1948 to 1952 and average 1948-1952 (a)

I 1948 I l049 I 1850 I 1951 1 1952 Average 1948-1952 Classification I NW. ( % Beef 1 % Total BEEF CATTLE '000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head To To Cows. (incl. heifers lyr. and

over) .. .. .. .. .. 3,987 4,172 4,469 4,834 4,827 4,458 46 Calves (under lyr.) . . . . 1,593 1,763 1,878 2,123 1,980 1,867 19 Bulls (lyr. a n d over) . . . . 137 143 150 162 165 151 1 Other (speyed cows, bullocks

a n d s t e e r s ) . . .. .. .. 3,322 3,183 3,253 3,308 3,355 3,284 34 TOTAL BEEF CA- . . 9,039 9,261 9,750 10,427 10,327 9,760 100 67 Total Dairy Cattle . . . . 4,746 4,863 4,890 4,802 4,566 4,774 33 TOTAL ALL CATTLE . . 13,785 14,124 14,640 15,229 14,893 14,534 100

(a) As at March 3 1 each year. Soume: Commonwealth Btatistician.

TABLE DI : CATTLE AND CALVES SLAUGH TERBIB FQR HUMAN C O N S ~ O N : BY STATES : AUSTRALIA

Average 1934-35 to 1938-39 and 1946-47 to 1952-53

Fiscal Year, Aust. I N.S.W. I Vic. ( Wd. I S.A. I W.A. I Tas. I (a) Average '000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head '000 head

(a) Including small nos. for the A.O.T. and N.T. (21,000 in 1062-633 (b) Subject to revision Source: Oommonwealth Bt~tistician.

STATISTICAL SUMMARY 23

TABLE HV : PRODUCTION OF BEEF AND VEAL (a) : BY STATES : AUSTRALIA Average 1934-35 to 1938-39 and 1946-47 to 1952-53

(Bone-in weight)

Fiscal Year (b) 1 N.8.W. 1 WC. 1 Qld. I BA. I W.*. I TUI I Australia '000 tons

Average 1934-35 'CO 1938-39 . . . . 172.8 1946-47 .. .. .. .. .. 139.9 1947-48 .. .. .. .. .. 161.9 1948-49 . . . . .. . . . . 180.3 1949-50 . . . . . . . . . . 185.6 1950-51 .. . . .. .. .. 192.8 1951-52 . . . . .. . . .. 1843 1952-53(~) . . .. . . .. 216.8

'000 tons

24.8 24.4 27.2 29.6 32.6 36.4 31.1 30.4

'000 tons

26.6 26.3 29.5 32.8 35.4 34.0 32.2 31.5

'000 tons

9.4 8.2 8.1 9.8

12.3 14.1 14.4 14.0

'000 tons

531.2 487.8 562.0 577.3 606.5 65 1.5 581.9 674.5

- - - - -

(a) Veal production is usually only about 6% of total production (b) Including small qusntltles (4.700 tons in 1862-83) produced in the Northern Territory. (c) Subject to revision. Source: Oommonwealth Statistician.

TABLE V : P R O D U a N AFJD DISPOSAL OFBEEF AMD VEAL : AUSTRALIA Average 1936-37 to 1938-39 and 1946-47 to 1952-53.

(bone-in weight)

- l Net change l Used for Fiscal Year in stocks (a) Production . canning and in Australia, '000 tons '000 tons

Average 1936-37 to 1938-39 n.a. 569.1 1946-47 . . (+l 7.7 487.8 1947-48 . . (+) 0.3 562.0 1948-49 . . (-) 3.5 577.3 1949-50 . . (-) 8.8 606.5 1950-51 . . ($1 10.3 651.5 1951-52( ( C ) (-1 3.9 581.9 1959-53 (d) (+) 5.8 674,5

n.a. Not available. (a) Including allowance for iIUpOFts. to revision. (d) Disposal8 figures are estimated. Source: Commonwealth Statistician.

'000 tons

120.8 90.7

116.5 97.5 93.9 81.5 50.6 98.0

'000 tons

18.0 65.3 73.6 60.8 74.5 71.5 69.6 95.0

'000 tons

430.3 324.1 371.6 422.5 446.9 488.2 465.6 475.7

(b) Including shlpa' stores of all types of carcase meat. (0) Subject


TABLE VI : APPARENT ANNUAL PER CAPITA CONSUR¶PTIOM OF THE VARIOUS MEATS : AUSrnBLIA

Average 1936-37 to 1938-39, Average 1946-47 to 1948-49, and 1949-50 to 1952-53. Average Average

Type of Meat 1952-53 1 1936-37 to 1946-47 t o 1949-50 1 1950-51 1 19:ii52 I (a) 1938-39 1 1948-49 1

Beef and veal (c) Mutton (c) . . . . Lamb (c) . . . . . . Pork (c) . . . . . . Offal . . . . . . . . Canned meat (d) . . Bacon and ham (f)

TOTAL (c) (g)

lb. . . . . 144.1 . . . . 59.8 . . . . 15.0 . . . . 10.4 . . . . 8.4 . . . . (e) . . . . 10.2 . . . . 253.0

lb. 108.9 45.1 25.2 7.1 8.9 2.6

11.7 215.7

lb. 124.3 45.7 27.4

7.2 9.6 3.6 9.6

232.9

lb. 131.6 38.4 24.6 6.8 8.8 3.2 8.3

226.6

lb. 121.8 41.0 24.0

7.3 9.1 2.3 7.2

216.3

lb. 119.0 48.3 29.0 6.1

10.3 2.0Cb) 7.0

15.0(b) - - - - - -

(a) Subject to revision. (b) Estimated. (c) Oarcase weight. (d) Canned weight. (e) Included under fresh meat at its carcase weight. (f) Cured weight. (g) Including offal. Source: Commonwealth Statistician.

TABLE W1 : EXPORTS OF BEEF AND VEAL : BY DESTINATIONS : AUSTRALIA Average 1934-35 to 1938-39, 1946-47 t o 1952-53

Destination

'000 tons '000 tons '000 tons '000 tdns '000 tons '000 tons '000 tons '000 tons United Wngdom . . . . . . . . 98.2 68.1 94.6 67.6 61.1 50.6 22.4 66.2 Singapore . . . . . . . . 1.1 3.4 3.7 3.91 4.7 5.7 4.8 Federation of Malaya . . . . 0.1 (C) (c) Hongkong . . . . . . . . . . 0.6 2.3 1.3 2.2 3.8 3.8 3.5 3.2 Egypt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5 1.1 1.4 3.0 3.8 3.2 3.3 3.3 West Indies . . . . . . . . . . (a) 0.1 0.6 1.4 2.2 2.5 2.1 0.8 Gibraltar . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4 0.2 0.7 1 .O 1.1 1.3 (c) (c) Malta . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 0.6 1.3 3.2 2.6 1.2 1.1 2.1 Bermuda . . . . . . . . . . (a) - - 0.5 0.7 0.8 (c) (C) West Africa . . . . . . . . . . (a) v v - 0.2 0.5 (c) (C) Australian Territories . . . . - 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.4 (c) (c) Other . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9(b) 4.6 2.0 2.6 1.2 1.6 4.7 5.4

T O T A L ' . . . . . . . . . . 107.9 80.5 105.9 85.6 81.4 70.7 42.8 85.8 (a) Not given specifically; may be included in "oiher British countries," totalling 200 tons. (b) Including Jape,, 1,300 tons; Philippines, 700 tons; and "other British countries, 200 tons. (c) Not available separately; included in "other. Source: Commonwealth Statistician.

STATISTICAL SUMMARY 25

TABLE WHH : COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMEMT PURCHASE PRICES (a) : BEEF AND VEAL FOR EXPORT UNDER U.K. AGREEMENT

October 11939 and August 1946 onwards

1st qual. hinds . . .. . . 2nd qual. hinds . . . . . .

Average ox and heifer . . . . Average cow . . . . . . . . AV. beef (ox, heifer and cow) Boneless veal (stirk sides) . .

Class

Ox and Heifer 1st qual. hinds . . . . . . 2nd qual. hinds . . . . . .

Average ox and heifer . . . . Average cow . . . . . . . . AV. beef (ox, heifer and cow) Boneless veal (stirk sides) . . (a) Compared with f.o b. equivalent of 1938 estimated average price in the U.K. (b) Previous CO March 1946, veal was not purchased by the Commonwealth Government but was exported direct a t contract prices. n.a. Not avsilable. Source: Australian Ment Eoard, 17th Annual *Report (exce~t for 3-11-62 prices.)

Ox and Heif er

F.o.b. equiv. (A.C.) 1938

est. av. Smithfield

prices

TA]B:L?l IX : WPORTS OF FRC9lEEN AND CHILLED BEEF (a) : BY SOURCES : tJ iwmD KINGDOM

Calendar Years 1938 and 1948 to 1952

d. per lb. A.C. f.o.b. approved from:

Oat. l939 I 5-8-43 ( 1-10-46 / 10-3-41 I 6-C48 / 21-9-48

Country I 1938: ( 1918: ( 1949: 1 1950: ( 1951: ( 1952: ( Jan.-June Jan.-June 1952: I 1953: '000 tons '000 tons '000 tons '000 tons '000 tons '000 tons '000 tons '000 tons

Argentina . . . . 354.3 190.9 215.4 162.9 48.0 58.3 47.0 43.9 Australia . . . . 109.1 81.7 52.7 54.1 42.1 10.9 2.5 39.9 New Zealand . . . . 45.2 64.9 43.9 56.1 32.8 19.2 12.7 10.1 Uruguay . . .. .. 32.2 12.6 39.2 43.9 15.2 4.3 0.5 10.2 Denmark . . . . 2.4 4.2 0.7 - 1 .O Other countries . . 34.5(b) 22.9(c) 0.5 0.7 4.6 - 24.9(c) 5.1 (c) 3 .8(~)

TOTAL -

(a) Excluding veal and small post-war imports of chilled beef. (b) Includlng 25.9 thous tons from Brazil. (c) Including imports from Uanada: 1948, 20.8 thousand tons; 1962, 24.7 thousand tons; Jan.-June, 1962, 6.1 thousand tons; Jan.-June 1963, 3.8 thousand tons. Source: Uommonwealth Economic Committee's Intelligence Bulletins.

Date post:	02-Feb-2021
Category:	Documents
Upload:	others
View:	1 times
Download:	0 times

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIAdata.daff.gov.au/brs/data/warehouse/pe_abarebrs99001289/... · 2006. 8....

Documents