San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-08-18
FUTURE WHEAT MARKET
Hope in China a2d Japan for the
American Farmer
Proba biiity That These Oriental
Countries VIII as They Are Open
ed Up Become Great wheat
Consumers.

Some important data as 10 the posi-
bility of the material extension of the
foreign markets for our cereals is
given in afeport of the agricultural de-
partment on ''United States wheat for
eastern Asia" Owing to the recent de-
elopment of new wheat-producing
areas in other parts of the world and
the increasing competition the United
States is compelled to meet in Europe
an markets the future disposal of our
surplus wheat has become an impor-
tant question. 1t has been suggested
that the changes now taking place in
the civilization of Japan and China may
result in the opening there of markets
for our wheat that will to some extent
compensate US for losses that may be
incurred through the increasing compe-,
tition of other countries in the Europe
an markets that this country formerly
was able to control. The report says
that chief among the conditions of the
FEASIBILITY of the suggestion is the re-
markable increase in our expectations
of wheat to eastern Asia during the
decade just closing. Most of this
wheat is shipped in the form OF
-four, exports of grain being COM
paratively small. The total amount
of wheat flour shipped to Japan and
China during the entire fiscal year 1897,
just closed, should reach, it is stated,
about million barrels, equivalent to
more than 4,500,00O bushels of wheat.
The major portion of American flour
sent across the Pacific goes to Hong
Kong and is thence distributed TO other
Chinese ports. Exports of -four to
japan, while considerably smaller than
to China, show an increase during the
last few years, proportionately even
greater than to China. 1t is estimated
that the total exports of wheat -four
from this country to Japan during the
fiscal year just ended amounted to 200,-
600 barrels. The exports of wheat
in the grain have been chiefly to
japan. American wheat also is sent to
eastern Asia in the form Of bread and
biscuits, but not in very large quanti-
ties. Official statistics indicate that
the capacity of Japan for wheat pro-
duction has not increased common
surately with the growth in popula-
ton, showing constantly increasing
dependence upon the wheat fields of
other countries for it's supply.
There is abundant statistical evil
dence, it is cited, to show that the
amount of wheat consumed per inhab-
liant in Japan is steadily Increasing.
AS the years Sc by the japanese diet
doubtless will become gradually
changed to accord with American and
European customs, and this means
larger wheat consumption. Wheat con-
sumption in China also is increasing.
When that great nation of 100000, 900
people is once fairly opened to foreign
influences the department believes the
possibilities of the situation that may
result can hardly be overestimated.
The report concludes:
CLEARLY then, these oriental coun-
tries are we'll worth the attention of
the American wheat grower, especially
now that Russia, Argentina and other
great wheat-producing countries are
competing with us so strongly for the
European market. 1t may be that in
the future eastern Asia will afford field
enough for the disposal of our surplus
wheat to offset all possible losses in the
markets of Europe"