New Zealand Livestock and Wool Market Summary

WASHINGTON - May 28/02 - STAT -- The latest weekly summary of New Zealand's beef, lamb and wool markets was released by the USDA today.

Discussing beef markets, the USDA reports Last week manufacturing beef exported from New Zealand to US trade activity was light and price levels were slightly lower.

However, trading was moderate to active in the Canadian and Asian markets where prices fell by up to 6 cents per pound for some cuts.

The reason was due to many Australian exporters realised their US quota at 10% lower price levels than US domestic market prices.

The climbing Kiwi dollar was not helpful to New Zealand farmers this last week reducing their returns. All exporters in both Islands followed the market decline and most reduced prices.

Looking at lamb markets, the USDA reports Overall there has been little change in overseas market, except for flaps and forequarters going to the Pacific which have weakened in price due to the higher New Zealand dollar.

North Island prices fell for this week by 8-10c/kg. South Island prices were unchanged.

Beef $/CWT                       Week Ending       Previous Week
                                  25-May-02          18-May-02
P2 Steer   542-595 lbs                71.67              73.48
(4-7 mm)   595-650 lbs                71.67              73.48
(Fat)      650-705 lbs                71.67              73.48
           705-761 lbs                71.67              73.48
M Cow      375-430 lbs                58.51              59.87
(0-1 mm)   430-485 lbs                58.51              59.87
           485-540 lbs                58.51              59.87
Bull       595-650 lbs                70.76              72.12
Lamb  ($/Head)      Fat Cover
                          (mm)
           24 lbs          0-6        16.36              16.06
           33 lbs          7-12       29.66              29.12
           46 lbs          7-12       38.99              38.26
Pelt       1 lb                        1.42               1.38
Ewe  ($/Head)
           46 lbs                     23.40              22.97
Wool  (c/cwt clean)    (microns)
           Fine            21        238.14             237.23
           Medium          25        206.84             214.55
           Coarse          35        113.85             111.13
New Zealand Export Slaughter RateWeek Ending       Week Ending
                                  11-May-02          04-May-02
                    Beef:            63,000             68,000
                    Lamb:           529,000            557,000
                    Mutton:          38,000             46,000
Notes:    All prices are U.S. Dollars.
          All meat prices are carcass based and net to farmers.
           Lamb values include a 1 kg shorn pelt.
           Ewe values at 0.5 kg pelt.
Source: Agri-Fax, New Zealand, www.agri-fax.co.nz
 

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