COMMERCIAL

Evening Star, Issue 18833, 6 January 1925, Page 4

COMMERCIAL

THE WHEAT MARKET. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 5. .Received January 6, at 1.20 p.m.) Cargoes are dull and prices arc tending to become lower in sympathy with the American market. The Skagern and Benmohr’s cargoes sold at 66s 6d. Parcels are favored with fair business doinjj and prices steady. Livcr]X)ol futures: March, 13s Ojd per cwt; May, 13s 7d. —A. and N.Z. Cable. WORLD’S FOODSTUFFS. Reporting in November, 1924, on visible world supplies of foodstuffs, etc., particularly wheat, the International Institute of Agriculture, Rome, states that, as compared with the corresponding yields of last year and with the averages of the five years 1918 to 1922, the ascertained yields of the current season are represented by the following percentages; — Percentage as compared with 1923; Wheat, 88.2; rye, 81.2; barley, 91.5; oats, 97.8; maize, 84.9. Percentage as compared with the average 1918-22: Wheat, 101.2; rye, 93.1; bailey, 103.8; oats, 111.3; maize, 92.0. Besides the almost complete figures for the Northern Hemisphere, the first forecast of the wheat crop in Argentina is available and is included in the above estimate at a lower figure than last year’s, though just about equal to the average of the previous five years. In the aggregate the ascertained data of production represent (exclusive of Russia and China) 90 per cent, of the world’s yield of wheat and oats, 85 per cent, of maize, 80 per cent, of barley, and almost the whole of the rye. The aggregate yields are decidedly lower than those of the previous season for wheat, rye, and maize, somewhat lower for barley and, in less degree, for oats. Compared with the average of_ the preceding five years, rye and maize yields have fallen off, while wheat and barley show a very slight increase, and oats a fair increase. Russian statistics are not Included in the indicated percentages. It is estimated that the aggregate yield of all cereal crops in Russia in 1924 is about 9 per cent. below r that of the preceding season. SUGAR-BEET. Data of the production of sugar-beet in a group of countries which last year grew' about 80 per cent, of the world’s yield (Russia excluded) indicate that the outturn this year is considerably more plentiful than that of 1923, and exceeds any of the post-war figures of yield. This result is due to tho great increase in area under beets in the past season, especially in Europe, while the summer was not particularly favorable for this crop on the whole. In the following table the 1924 figures are estimates only:— Yetaoi

Although the yield per acre in 1924 appears lo "be the lowest for five years, the increase in area in 1924 (28 per cent. a.s compared with 1923, and 39 per cent, over that of 1920) has caused an increase in production ot 18 per cent, over 1923 and of 26 per cent, over 19-20. POTATOES. Tlie total potato crop in seventeen European countries furnishing data for 1924, and in Canada and the United States, has resulted as follows in the years from 1920 to 1924:

The quality of the crops in several countries has not, been in correspondence with the quantity, and the maintenance of the tubers in sound condition is likely to bo difficult. FLAX AND LINSEED. This year’s flax crop appears to be 18 per cent, larger than that of 1923, 51 per cent, over that, of 1922, and 74 per_ cent, more than 1921. From Russia, which is the most important of tho world’s flaxgrowing countries, no accurate data are available. Official sources indicate, however, that the flax crop lias increased also in Russia, being about 40 per cent, larger in 1924 than in the previous season. In comparison with the average of tho five previous years, this year’s yield of linseed is 37.5'per cent, larger in Europe, 157.5 per cent, in North America, 16.7 per cent, in Argentina, and 20.7 per cent, in Asiatic countries. Taking the aggregate of all countries, the production of linseed this year is 46 per tent, above the average.

Area Production Yield (thousand (millions per acre acres). centals). (centals). 1920 3,144.8 652.1 299 1921 3.318.3 644.0 194 1922 3,006.9 657.3 222 1923 3,390.8 695.9 205 1924 4,343.7 823.6 190

Million centals 1920 1.918.6 1921 1,742.2 1922 2,679.1 1923 2,126.6 1924 2.294.3