The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-02
TRADE WITHTHEEAST
Market for Fruit and Dairy
Products Poor.
CONDENSED MILK is WANTED.
Consuls In Japan. China and Other
Countries Not Hopeful-Japan Crow
ing Her Own Pears and Apples.

ural publications in the United States
consular officers in Oriental countries and
Australasia were directed by the state de-
partinent TO report upon the consumption
or dairy products and fruits in their re-
spective districts. the share Of the United
States therein, the best means for the en-
largenent of the trade, etc. The replies
which have been received. and which will
be published in the June number of con-
sular reports, do not encourage the hope
of any remarkable increase or extension
OF the export trade with those countries
in the products mentioned.
In China the consumption of imported
fruits and dairy products is almost wholly
confined TO the American and European
residents. who are few in number. Consul
Hunt, of Hongkong. expresses the opinion
that fruit growers and others in the
United States who are looking forward to
an extensive trade in this region will be
disappointed" He remarks. however.
that there are two articles-condensed
milk and raisins-from the United States
which are used by Europeans and Chi
nese. and should command an important
place in the market" Nearly all the but
ter consumed comes from Europe. but the
consul says that las for cheese. the United
States compares very favorahly with the
European supply. but il would command a
better place in this market II IL were put
up in smaller sizes
Consul Read. of Tientsin. ends his briet
report with the remark; THE total value
of the fruits. dairy products etc. which
would be consumed within the consular
district of Tientsin would be so small that
any details or suggestions would be value
less TO American exporters"
The prospect OF building up great
trade in American dairy products and
fruits In India does not seem to be much
better than in China. although Consul
Sommer of Bombay, remarks that Cali
fornia canned fruits and preserves are
considered the best in the market, and
are by far the cheapest" Most OF the
California fruits are now carried TO Bonn
bay from New York. instead of direct
from Pacific ports. (which. of course. in
creases the selling cost.
Consul Polk, Of Calcutta, reports that
there is but small. il any, chance of the
fruit-growers of the United States being
enabled TO gain market of any value in
Bengal" The consul adds that about
$4,000 worth of cheese is imported annual
~. practically all of which comes from
the United Kingdom" and that some of
this. of course. could he supplied from
the United States but that the demand
would not perhaps. justify the attempt
to build up a trade especially consider
ing the advantage the English manufac-
turers have in continuous connection by
steam vessels. and the further fact that
most of the cheese is consumed by En-
glishmen. who want the article to which
they have always been accustomed"
Vice Consul Boon. OF Padang Sumatra
reports that all the butter, cheese and
condensed milk consumed in that consul
ar district are imported from Holland and
Switzerland. The condensed milk from
the United States is better. but IL costs
mn n A hA
from California. but the consumption is
small-ahout 400 pounds a month-and
the vice consul does not sec ANY chance
for increasing the consumption of the ex-
pensive, though much better conserved.
California fruit" I'm competition with the
native production of tropical fruits.
In Japan "the market for tnnoy-teVI
dairy products Is very limited acco~ffns,
to the report OF Consul General McTvor.
OF kanagaHsa- He says. however. that
CONDENSED milk is more generally used
and the leading American brands are
very popular but the lack q International
copyright and patent protection has en-
courage1 the manufacture of spurious
condensed milk, which is placed ON the
market packed in cans, and with labels
that are more or less exact csorfes OF
ours. This has injured the import trade
In 1893 the total value of condensed milk
Imported into Japan amounted to sl0c. 197.
VI WHICH ABOUT One-n<iAT came from e7h9
United States. There has been a great
demand in japan" says the report. for
American apples and pears, which has
been supplied by the Pacific states and
Canada, but recently the orchards I'm the
northern island OF Yesso, stocked with
imported trees under government super
vision, producing excellent pears and aS,-
pies, have bagun TO bear fruit in suf-
iicieut quantities 20 go far toward sup
plying the demand. and the quantity will
increase in all probability as the years
pass by" The consul general remarks
that ''rhe trade in preserved and pre-
par d fruf and products has esn largely
controlled by English manufacturers for
many years and that ''there is I'D rsa-
son why we should not a least share
this market"
Consul Smithers, of Osaka and Hiogo.
reports that the imports OF condensed milk
in 1898 amounted TO S31 GO OF which more
than four-Hfihs came from the United
States. that the imports of butter and
cheese amounted 10 less than ~ 000 pounds
OF apples to 1921 tthe cost to Japanese con-
sumers being IS 10 10 cents per pound in
gold'0 and that during the last year Cal
ifornia dried prunes and apricots have
been sold by the principal grocers and are
much in favor. particularly the latter.
In Persia. according 10 the report Of
Vice Consul General Tyler. of Teheran.
ing an export trade in dairy products and
fruits from the United States. and the
same remark Is true OF Syria. according
20 the report of Consul Gibson. OF Rey-
root. unless an avenue OF direct ship
rnent" can be provided The latter re-
marks. american lumber. furniture
factory goods. patented machines and
utensils musical instruments. typewriters.
etc. would find a market here. and II such
articles were shipped free OF the frequent
handling and OF the piled-up charges Of
reshipmeut at Liverpool. London, Mar
settles Alexandria or Port Said, they could
be sold at profit, and the vessels could
go home laden with Syrian wool. native
silks shawis. soap. licorice root, hiiumen.
asphalt carpets. sweets. and the famous
old wares and handiwork OF Damascus.
Rcvroot Haifa and Alerpo'
The consul expresses the opinion that
line Of shius from the United States "fo
touch a. Gibraltar. Tsngier. Tunis, Malta.
Alexandria. Port Said Iafs, Fiaifa. Rey-
root. smyrna and possibly Cons;antinop!e.
would not only lead the way in opening
a blR trade between the East and West
hut would pay almost. II not absolutely,
from tire start
IN the Philippine Islands. according 20
Conssl Elliott. Of Manila there liz little or
no demand for dairy' products, although
fresh milk costs the consumer - cents
gfaxioang for a bottle containing three
fourfhs 81 a quart and a tin can % but
te~ holding somewhat less than a pound
costs ~ 10 - cents TIE consul however.
Is or the opinion that with proper energy
a large trade tn canned fruits might %
lad here. as every person have spoken to
an the subject Units thA~ our canned
fruits are the besl IN the world"
John Barrett. United States minister AM
consul general ~ Bangkok, seems 20 be
-. ~ IN arlth.lsIass In raEara 20