The Express.
London, England, 1853-04-12 00:00:00

REVIEW OF THE FOREIGN CORN TRADE.

(From the Mark Lane Espress.)
By the most recent advice' from the north of Europe we
learn that there bad been nu re:urn of frost, but there was
still much ice, and it would, it was estimated, require
another week of mild weather to set the navigation free.
The continued dull accounts from hence had rendered
holders of wheat rather anxious to realise, and the tendency
of prices had been downwards at all the leading markets in
the Baltic.
Letters from Danzig, of the sth inst., state that, though
sellers of wheat had shown a disposition to facilitate busi-
ness, the want of activity in the demand had prevanted
sales to any extent being effected ; and in the absence of
important operations, quotations had remained nominally as
before ; there can, however, be no doubt that purchases might
have been made at less money, if buyers had been disposed
to come forward. Freights were about the same as betbre—
say, for London and the east coast, 4s. Gd. per qr. The
finest high-mixed wheat was quoted 495., and the general
runs, ranging in weight from 61} to 631b5., 455. up to 48s.
per qr. free on board.
From Konigsberg we learn, under date of sth inst., that
the breaking up of the frmt had rendered the roads almost
impassable, and that the samples of grain from the interior
had consequently been very small. The demand had at
the same time been exceedingly slow ; and so little had been
done since the previous post day as scarcely to allow quota-
tions to be given with any degree of accuracy. There can,
however, be no doubt that it would not have been difficult
to have executed orders, though limited Is. to 2s. perqr. be-
low the nominal quotations.
These remarks are equally applicable in regard to the
general state of affairs at most of the Lower Baltic ports.
Stettin advice. of the 4th inst. state that the tendency of
prices had been towards a decline, and that flee till to 62lbs.
red wheat had been rather freely offered at 41s. to 425. per
qr. free on board. The navigation would, it was expected,
be free from ice in eight or ten days from that time. Hardly
any supplies of spring corn had come forward, and quota-
tions of barley had beer very firmly supported.
Rostock letters, of Monday, state that the transactions in
wheat had for some ,time been unimportant, but that
holders had not been much disposed to lower their preten-
sions, it being deemed doubtful whether it would be practi-
cable to replace what might be sold with advantage. The j
deliveries from the growers had been -mall, and the pre-
Tailing opinion was that many of the farmers would have
little more wheat to bring forward. The price for good
quality was them 435. per qr., free on board. Barley had
come sparingly to hand, and had commanded quite as much
money as before.
At the near continental ports business in wheat appears to
have become very dull.
At Hamburg, on Tuesday, there was more wheat offering
than could be placed, and the turn wu certainly against the
seller.
This was also the cue at Rotterdam, on Monday, but
prices were not considered quotably lower than on that day
se'nnight.
The advices from France are decidedly flat ; and at
Paris, on Wednesday, the price of flour gave way quite
If. per sack : at this abatement there was, however, an im-
proved demand, and a fair amount of business was done.
The appearance of the wheat plant in France is variously
spoken of ; in some localities it is said to have been injured,
but on the whole the complaints are not more general tkaa
le usual at the same time of the year.
The accounts from the Mediterranean are not of much
interest.
A few parcels of wheat seem to have changed bands at
Leghorn, Malta, &c., at about firmer rates.
The reports from the more distant ports on the Black Sea
are likewise mach the same in effect as those previously
rem iced.
At °slats, on tho 17th ult., wheat was dull of sale ; the
best sorts might then have been bought at 261. to 265. 9d.,
and secondary kinds at 235. 3d. to 255. per qr. free on
board. Freight to England was 14s. to 14e. 3d. per qr. for
wheat.
At Odessa, on the 27th March, there was some activity in
the wheat trade. Polish was then worth 305., and Ohirka
30s. 3d. per qr. free on board.
By the latest accounts from America we learn that the
dull reports from this side, and a sudden tightness in the
money market, had caused prices of wheat and flour to give
way, more or less, at the principal ports. At New York,
the decline in the slue of flour had been fully 30 cents per
barrel. Freights were much the same as before—say
2s. 9d. to 3s. per brl. fur London.