The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-02-21
THE PROVISION SUPPLY.
Estimates Of the Probable Foreign De-
mand.

1t is now pretty generally con-
coded that the pork packing in the
West this season will aggregate
about 100000 head of hogs more
than last season, and that the
average weight will he about five
pounds per head heavier. If this
should prove to be an accurate
estimate the West will have about
S5,000,0O0 pounds of meat and
lard more than last year. The
eastern markets have taken more
hogs from the West this season
than last, and the packing there
will probably be increased to q
moderate extent; but it would
probably be safe to assume that
the increase in the packing in the
East will not exceed the natural
increase in the domestic consump-
ton of the country, and thus it
will be seen chat the surplus over
last year for which n market is
wanted is the increase in the pack
ing in the West. To foreign
countries we must look for such
market. 1t will be remembered
by those familiar with the trade
last year that the European mar
kets would be oyerstocked, and
that they would cease when the
summer came; but the ability of
European countries to consume
low priced provisions was under
estimated, and the exports kept up
well all through the season, not
withstanding the material advance
in prices which occurred IN the
summer; so that, although the ex-
ports so far this season show a
material increase over the CORES
ponding time last year, it does not
necessarily follow that the foreign
market will be therefore over
stocked. Low prices have an
enormously stimulating effect upon
consumption, especially of articles
used by the working classes in Eu-
rope, and lard Is selling nearly 1 ]
cents less per pound than a year
ago, shoulders about &c lower, sides
Sc lower, and mess pork 25a374c
per barrel lower in this market.
! Let us see how exports are run
ming as compared with last year.
The New York Produce Exchange
Weekly, of January l, gives the to-
tai exports of meat and lard from
November 1, 1871, to January 81,
1872, as 14O,571,3 1871 pounds. For
the corresponding time this season
the exports from all ports amount
in round numbers to 175, 500, 0OC
pounds, showing an excess over
last year of 35,OOO,OOO pounds
Should the exports for the next
four weeks continue to exceed
those of last year as much as they
have for the last two weeks, the es
timated surplus packing over last
year will be exhausted
The lard and cured meats of the
United States were last year intro
duced into countries and places
where they had never before beer
used to any great extent. THAI
was the entering wedge which viii
: doubtless be followed now by Al
5 increased demand, especially a.
> these meats are cheaper than any
e thing else that is edible.
In all OF this there is nothing
really encouraging in a speculativ,
n point of view, for any material ad
vance in prices early in the season
' would be likely to check the for
1 elgn demand, and thus defeat tn
q object IN view, which is to find
Q market for our surplus products
but there is in it the indication O
II healthy condition that will afFor'
, to the packer a moderate return
upon his investment, to which b
a IS justly entitled.-Cincinnat
= Price Current.