Export of South African Eggs and Poultry. 251) 



Of the eggs exported, the Western Province (Cape) produced 

 13,388 cases of 360 eggs. Northern areas and Natal were responsible 

 for 778 cases. It will therefore be seen that nearly the whole oversea 

 export trade was supplied by the Cape. The export to Portuguese 

 East Africa, Rhodesia, Belgian Congo, etc., is better distributed. 

 Johannesburg shares largely with the Cape in this trade. The trade 

 in ship's stores is confined chiefly to Capetown, and Durban in a 

 lesser degree. 



Regulations. — It was found that all shippers were keen on 

 observing the regulations. In one or two instances only Mas it neces- 

 sary to compel shippers to regrade and repack the whole of the parcel. 



Grading. — On the whole there is room for improvement in 

 respect of several marks. Many on the other hand are excellently 

 graded. Some few attempt the dodge of packing good eggs on top 

 and in the bottom layers, so that whatever side may be opened good 

 grade may be in sight, then they pack indifferently graded eggs in 

 the middle of cases. This is poor policy for the packer, as every one 

 packing in this way is placed on the " not to be trusted " list. Two 

 or three of such shippers have been the cause of some rather adverse 

 comments from London. However, the " marks " and " shippers " 

 are known, and strict watch will be kept on their future packing. 



Packing on the whole was very good. Evidence of this is found 

 in the fact that breakages in transit are returned as practically nil. 



Reception on London Market.- — Reports from the Trade Com- 

 missioner in London show that on the whole South Africa can rightly 

 be proud of the excellent reputation made in London by its eggs. 

 Public opinion places them next in order of merit to the Irish or 

 Danish eggs. Let us see that we maintain that position. What 

 we must see to is that our eggs are first grade for size and quality, 

 and we shall hold our own in any market. 



Egg Prices. — The highest prices in London for first grade was 

 120s. per case of 360 eggs, and the lowest price 100s. to 102s. The 

 very high prices realized is due to the fact that nothing but the best 

 in regard to freshness was allowed to be sent; 90 per cent, of the 

 whole total was first grade. 



Export 0¥ Poultry to London. 



During 1919 was the first occasion on which South Africa 

 attempted shipping poultry on a commercial scale. There were 

 three shipments, one each in September, October, and November, 

 comprising 4 cases of ducks, 40 of geese, 61 of fowls, and 733 of 

 turkeys, a total weight of 88,734 lb. 



The London trade reports on these shipments show that there is 

 much room for improvement in killing, grading, and packing 

 poultry for export. 



The export officer reports having examined all the poultry 

 placed on board at Capetown, and found only one packer's mark 

 which could be said to approach export requirements. Under this 

 mark the birds had been properly bled, were tied attractively, grade 

 quite fair quality of birds, individually excellent, collectively left 

 something to be desired as regards evenness in size. Taking the 

 parcel as a whole it was good, and was well reported on from London. 



