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41
Lamb" has been far greater than the "Control" would allow to be met. At the
close of the year large quantities were held in Cold Stores. The total quantity of
meat imported from New Zealand during 1919 was 121,209 tons.
ARGENTINA.—The quality of the meat from Argentina, not only maintained
its high standard but goes on steadily improving.
Some of the consignments were as nearly perfect as possible, and to those
who can remember what the exporters only a few years ago considered as "ideal"
carcases, viz., as big and as fat as possible, the improvement is proof of what can
be done by those who are willing to learn.
The total quantity of meat imported during the year 1919 was 237,137 tons.

It will be observed that the consignments from one place shows a much higher
percentage than the others. This variation is at present unexplained, but it is
being carefully considered in Argentina by the owners and the Government Officials.
URUGUAY.—The consignments from this country which reached the Market
were few. The quality was good and the improvement may be said to follow on
the same lines as in the Argentine.
NEW MEAT EXPORTING COUNTRIES.—In the report submitted in 1914
it was stated, in discussing new exporting countries, that Brazil would, in about
ten years' time, become one of the sources of our meat supply. This forecast has
proved correct. In a special pamphlet issued by Mr. Simonsen the progress made
since 1914 is stated to be as follows:—
1914 5 Carcases.
1915 32,870 „
1916 133,001 „
1917 286,878 „
1918 221,840 „
For 1919 the figures are not available, but there was certainly a reduction. This
is probably only temporary.
The animal Census taken in 1916 showed that the total number of cattle in
Brazil was over 30,000,000, thus exceeding the number in Argentina (28,000,000)
and of pigs the number is given as 15,000,000.
Mr. Simonsen estimates that Brazil could export 1,000,000 beef carcases
per annum.
There are at present eight "Packing Houses" or "Frigorificos" built or
being built in Brazil. The improvement in the quality of the meat arriving is on
the upward grade, and as the cross of the native breed of animals with pedigree
British Bulls is being carried on, we may look to Brazil as becoming, a few years
hence, an important source of meat supply.
SOUTH AFRICA.—In the report previously mentioned, South Africa was
also quoted as a future prospective source of meat supply, and the difficulties of
climate and disease amongst imported pedigree stock referred to as a hindrance
to quick progress.
Only small quantities of beef arrived from South Africa during 1919, and
though free from disease, some of it was poor in quality and lacked the clean
preparation shown on the South American meat; nevertheless, from improved
breeding from the right type of bulls, and the South American system of grading
and handling, improvements will no doubt follow, and South Africa prove a
valuable source of meat supply, though limited in comparison with the South
American States.