FOOD SITUATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26043, 5 January 1946, Page 5

FOOD SITUATION

OUTLOOK IN AMERICA SURPLUSES EXPECTED (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 4. Experts who prophesied a world shortage of food following the war are having to revise their opinions. There are signs that there will be surpluses, says the Daily Express, which adds that the people of the United States will probably eat better this year than ever before in their history of plenty. The only shortages in the United States are likely to be in pork, high grade beef butter, sugar, and canned fish. The supplies may not be enough to satisfy the demand at the present price and prosperity level. But America has ended its 31 months of war-time rationing, and experts realise that if there is a surplus of food in the United States there will be a surplus over the whole of the North American continent. Soon there will be plenty of food in Britain and the rest of Europe. Officials based their calculations on war-time consumption, whereas postwar consumption is falling. There will be surpluses particularly in wheat and other corn. During 1946 these will be eagerly accepted by other countries which had to cut production during the war. But once agriculture is re-established apd rehabilitated m those countries the demand will fall off. Then there will be surpluses which no country will want.