The Hawaiian gazette., 1885-02-18
suear Trade q ths Uaited state..

The New York Shipping aud Commercial
List had timely article on the sugar trade of
this country in recent issue. 1t notes the
fact that the competition of beet sugar has
now attained to such proportions that it "chal-
lenges the supremacy of the cane product and
is eontesting the privilege OF controlling the
sugar markets of the world. This has been
the potent factor 10 shaping the course of the
sugar trade in 1854, and il is likely to continue
the controlling influence for some time to come
in regulating the value and consumption of
raw sugar throughout the world" In the
opinion of our contemporary, 1885 will deter
mine which is king-cane or beet-because the
conditions Of production and sale of last year
cannot be continued. The output of cane and
beet sugar last year far exceeded that of 1883,
and in many cases raw sugar was sold Under
cost Of production. The'refning trade in Eng
land and Scotland was swamped by the large
shipments which an export rebate or bounty
enabled to be prohtably made from this coun-
try and Europe the to British Isles. Over So
900 tons refined sugar were marketed in Eng
land last year in the teeth Of the British REIN
erS, who, having no tariff protection, were un-
able TO undersell the American and European
sugars which enjoyed an export drawback.
Our total export Of refined sugar last year was
s., 642 tons.
European beet sugar figured largely as an
import in 1854. In 1850 we imported 1850
tons; in 1882, about 1000 tons; in 1883, Euro
pean sugar imports were 46, 600 tons; and in
1854, $1,000 tons we're imported, being nearly
fifty per cent more than 1852. At the same
ratio of increase we should import $4,000
tons of beet sugar in 1885 from France and
Germany. The possibilities 10 this direction
ara.,a -. -.
"raws" in 1854 than ever before. Owing to a
short crop Manila sugar fell off, but the West
India Islands gave the usual quantity. Haw-
allan Islands crop Increased by 10, 294 tons
The sugar crop of Louisiana yielded l2s,44J
tons, decrease of $685. tons as compared
with 1883. The Alvarado beet sugar refinery
produced l,650,00o pounds of sugar during
1884. This is the only mauufactory of the
kind in tie United States. Sorghum did moi
exceed 100000 pounds, and the supply Of
maple sugar is estimated at $4,000 tons fol
1884. About $1,000 tons Of sugar were OBJ
tanned by reboiling foreign molasses. The
aggregate consumption Of cane sugar, domes-
tic and foreign, in the United last year was | :
265, 2e3 tons, an increase on the year Of 60
per cent, accounted for by increased consump-
ton owing to growth of population and Low
prices.
When it is remembered that the lowest
point in the price Of sugar in the past IS years
was touched during 1884, the crop prospect
for 1885 becomes important. In almost every
sugar producing country the latest report
points to an Increased yield Of cane and beet
but the market price of sugar will determine
how much cane will be harvested and turned
into sugar. The supply of European beet
sugar in 1885 is estimated at 5,505 900 tons
Cuba is estimated to yield from 100000 to
$4,000 tons. Should, however, the recipro-
city treaty with Spain not be ratified there
will probably not be more than 100000 tons
Of sugar made, because at late prices Cuban
planters only had one cent a pound clear for
their sugar in the New York market, after
paying duties and charges. British West In
dies promise a good crop, while production
in the French island Of Guadaloupe is rapidly
declining, and the Government will be COM
PEELED to return large numbers of coolies to
Calcutta for whom the planters decline to find
employment. The Brazilian crop viii be
about 10000 tons under that Of last year.
The Philippine Islands will probably yield
226s 900 tors; Java. will produce 375, 900 tons;
and the Mauritius about l30, 900 tons-a large
increase in each case. The Hawaiian crop is
estimated at 10000 tons, and the Louisiana
crop, most Of which has been already market
Cd, is about $50 900 hoguheads-a consider
able falling on on the year. The estimated
crop Of the world for 1885, excluding China,
Auslralia and FIJI, is 2, 100000 tons cane, and
1860. 900 tons beet atrpnr-E r. Mercf1uY