The Express.
London, England, 1855-01-16 00:00:00

THE CORN TRADE AT HOME AND

ABROAD.

Mom the lisrlikas Repress.)
BRITISH.
One of those sudden changes to which the corn
trade is so liable has just taken plus. The announce-
ment sat Monday that the Emperor of Russia had con-
sulted to negotiate for peace on the basis of the " four
points" insisted on by the Western Powers, caused an
unexiirected stop to business. This was the more dlsap-
poinuog, as general opinion had fixed the opening of the
new year as the period when a simultaneous improve-
ment in the trade would take place throughout the United
Kingdom.
The supply of wheat at Mark-lane on that day was
good from all the home counties; and such was the effect
of the above news on the minds of our millers, that few
bad courage to make any purchases at all ; but fine quali-
ties of white being wanted by some of them, a few parcels
of such wore picked out of the Essex runs at about 2e. pet
qe. decline, when nearly every other description was left
unsold, although • still greater redaction would have been
accepted to make sales and effect • clearance. The minds
of the buyers were, however, apparently made up, end no
inducement seemed likely to succeed with them to encourage
them to make the least addition to their stocks.
There were increased imports of foreign wheat, and this
description was equally as difficult of disposal as English.
The prices accepted were 21. to 3s. per qr. under those of
the previous week, but mostly for new qualities, thew being
generally much more inferior than the old, and the latter
sorts were not so preuingly offered, the stocks of such having
been much reduced at this port ; indeed, of all sorts there
were only about 70,000 qrs. on the lit instant.
The imports into the port of London during 1854 con-
sisted of-9,435 qn. from Alexandria; 91,622 from America;
7080 from Archangel ; 161,765 from Black Bea ports ;1
elle from Constantinople 1,465 from East Indies ; 386,962
frees Europe—Baltic ports ; 238,668 from Europe—other
peels ; 104,719 from Mediterranean ; 550 coastwise. Making
a total of 1,002,887 qn.; against 1,308,919 qrs. in 1853.
The first nine months of 1164 the imports were 939,427 qrs.
1863 pp 876,804

Showing an increase in the nine months of 1864 of 62,623 qrs.
Whilst the last three months of 1854 there were
only
Against the last three months of 1853, when the
imports were 432,115 qes.
Showing a falling off in the last three months of
1864 of 368,655 qrs.
The same marked difference took place in the last quarter's
arrival into the United Kingdom, causing the decrease on
the year to be 1,163,262 qrs. of wheat, besides 808,767 cuts.
flour.
The great falling off in the imports of foreign wheat
during the last three months of the past year were amply
mode up by the large deliveries from our own farmers at
the same period ; and, as the new crop was freely brought
to market at the commencement of September, that month
included, and the three following, the quantity returned
amounted to 2,058,809 qrs against 1,490,879 qrs. during
the brat four months of 1853; and it is generally admitted
that the whole of this went into consumption as fast as it
could be made into flour, millers having no time to give it
the age required to make a good loaf. The deliveries of the
first week in this year fell short of those of the last week of
the past year by 21,327 qrs. ; and as nearly all the meat
needy farmers are out of stock, the quantity remaining must
be considered in the hands of the wealthiest, and on them
will depend the future supply. They know well now their
position, and have felt it ever since the first reaction which'
commenced the second week in September last.
It is now difficult to form any accurate opinion as to
future prices ; but, taking the low stocks in this kingdoms
into account, the panic of the week seemed:wooly called for,
es, should pesos result from the pending negotiations, and
that happy event take place immediately, supplies from the
Black Sea could not arrive until about next July, and the
stocks throughout all Europe being limited, we have no
great prospect of abundant imports when spring shipments
begin. Meanwhile the quantity on passage will have to suf-
fice, with the deliveries from the farmers, to furnish the
wants of the trade for the nest few months.
There is, however, much misgiving as to the present posi-
tion of Russia and the Western Powers, and later in the
week mitten did not look so favourable. The crowing of
the Danube by the Russians, and the Admiralty notice that
all the ports of the Black Sea and those of the Sea of
Asoff were to be strictly blockaded from the Ist of February
have certainly more the appearance of a continuance of the
war than of the question being amicably arranged.
Spring oorn of every description was alto affected by the
paralysed state of the wheat market, but no grain is of so
great importance as the latter. Barley was previously cow
sidered the lowest of any, and only declined le. to 3s. per
qr., and that principally on intermediate and essiodosy
qualities. The deliveries of this article will:most probably
continue good throughout the present and the next month.
Beans and peas receded ls. to 2s. per qr. whilst oats gave
way about ls. per qr. The weekly supplies ere now not
up to the consumption of the metropolis, and the stock is
granary will be worked from freely until ,importations in-
crease.
All markets of the interior held since Monday have been
greatly depressed, and a few forced sales effected at eaoh
were certainly at a considerable decline, ranging at 34. to
4s. per tir. under the rates of the previous week for every
description of wheat, whilst barley was sold meetly at Is. to
21. per qr. reduction in the value of all sorts.
At Liverpool on Tuesday the imports consisted of 7,318
qn. wheat, 6,313 qrs. of which were entirely from Egypt; ,
3,164 qrs. beans, 12,632 qn. Indian corn, 3,209 sacks and
600 brim. flour. The exports Miring the same period amounted
to 605 qrs. wheat, 13,552 qrs. Indian corn, 203 hrls. Indian
corn, 410 sacks and 1,264 brie. ;flour. The business trans- I
acted was of the most retail character, at a reduction of 3d.
per 701bs. on wheat, Is. per brl. and le. to 2a. per seek on
flour, Id. per 45Ibs. on oa's, le. per load on oatmeal, 2d. per
601bs. on barley, beans, and ;peas, and ls. to 2s. per qr. on
Indian corn. It will be observed of the last article that the
export exceeds the import, and a demand for Ireland will
moot probably continue throughout the season. The stocks
taken at that port to the let inat we Corresponding stools
last year.
Wheat 27,781 qn. .... 149,751 qn.
Barley 3,731 „ 6,108 „
Oats 11,173 .... 6,609 „
Malt 2,384 „ —r,
Beans 10,868 .... 8,492 „
Feu
Indian Corn 68,620 .... 88,712 „
Oatmeal 21,78610:ids .... 76,974 loads
Flour
Ditto
Teem these facie our readers will draw their own con-
elusions. Liverpool market on Friday exhibited more
lone, and no further depreuion in any article took place.
At Wakefield the arrivals of wheat were large, the vessels
kiss the east oust having got in. The total quantity was
imposed to be 20,000 qrs. coastwise, with a liberal supply
by the various railways. The sales effected were to a
limited extent, and at a decline of about 4a. per qr. Much
of the 'Toppi, was, however, ordered to granary,which shows
the feelings of the owners ; and the millers may lose the
best opportunity to make purchases if they delay business
say length of time.
At Mark-lane the UMe day.there was no material addi-
tion of either Englien or foreign grain, and so little bust-
Itmeitemoseted in wheat that prices must be considered
gills Nadu], and some quantity of the previous English
sunk was left over unsold for future markets. The con-
susses took oats to a fair extent, about the quotations of