The Hawaiian gazette., 1915-05-14
SUGAR SITUATION
IN MEDITERRANEAN
Surplus Supplies For Importing
Countries Are Reported
Almost Exhausted

Speaking of the sugar situation in the
Mediterranean countries, Wi'lett &
Gray 3 weekly says:
"With the exception of Austria,
France and Turkey, the countries sur.
rounding the Mediterranean Sea are
but indirectly affected by the great
war, and trade, although hamperes,
continues in good volume
'.However, such countries are not
large consumers of sugar, even in nor.
NAL times of low prices. Turkey, the
largest, which has in recent years re.
quired about 2G0,OO0 tons year, Il,
uow cut off from most sources Of sup.
ply owing to the war, and offers no
market except through the Red Cross
or other relief channels.
All Are Importers y
"The other countries surrounding
the sea, which import all the sugar
they consume, are Greece, requiring
about "a goo tons annually, Tripoii 300
tons, Tunis 10000 tons, Algeria 900
tons and Morocco $4,000 tons. Portu-
gal has also been accustomed to i'm
port about 10000 tons of European beet
sugar. These sugars total l50,00O tons
per year, or say IL 800 tons per month.
Being countries of mild climate, tn ;
consumption is probably not affected
by the season, as in more northe. re-
gions, although high prices may check
IL somewhat.
Heretofore France, having special
advantages in Algeria and Morocco, has
supplied about half this amount, Aus.
tria the other half.
italy Favors Her Colonies
"Italy, since the opening of the
war, has rearranged the tariff into
Tripoi so that Italian sugar pays one.
third the rate charged other sugars.
Austria is now cut of from these mar.
kets and statistics indicate that Italy
has, taken her place to great extent.
Italy still had on hand February first
, about $4,000 tons in excess of her re-
quiTements, which, amount would be
about sufficient for these neighborihg
countries until May LIST. -
"FAbont July LIST there may be some
demand in Egypt, which generally tax es
about 10000 tons of beet sugar and
5000 tons of Javas late in each year
to piece out the domestic crop, which
ends about June LIST. Last fall it evi
IDENTIFY got along more largely on Javas
and will very likely do the same this
year.
CAT present, however, Egypt's crop
Is in full swing, and it may even be
willing to spare a little sugar for near,
| by countries
New Crop In August
'The new Italian crop viii start in
August, but it can hardly become
: available before September Servings
may be large. In l9l3-l4 the crop
reached 32S,333 tons or $4,000 tons
above consumption.
Another country which may in.
crease its sOwings and have sugar for
export is Spain. This years sowings
, were reduced and have given yield
LareIy equal to domestic requirements,
| although she shipped about 10000 tons
o the United Kingdom, but in some
Ormer years Spain has produced crops
argely above the domestic require
mCnts and some statistics indicate
hat she now has moderate surplus.
."liowever, until these next crops
mature there is undoubtedly a constant
demand for sugar from the Mediterran.
an shores. The lowest seller of course
gets the market, which at present seems
70 be Italy ter the Italian surplus
IS exhausted the trade win lie be,
tween France, as France is likely to
consider her North African colonies
part of the home country, and the
United States until new Javas are avail
able.
French Crop Exceeds Estimate
1.-THE last French crop has turned
out better than Anticipated, and OIL
March LIST a stock was reported in all
France of 2l7,937 tons. During the
spring France normally secures about
60, 900 tons Of sugar from her colonies
She has already purchased 10000 tons
of Cuban sugar and there has been
6shipped $4,000 tons American granu
lated since February LIST.
''Her total supplies to July LIST are
Therefore at least 100000 tons, which
with a consumption Of $4,000 tons pei
month, against normal average OF
SO, 900 tons, should last until Septembe
LIST, Her purchases of $4,000 tons new
ctopJavas will last through Septemb Der OF
until the next crop beet is available
and the further 10000 tons TO com,
from the French colonies will provid,
sufficient stocks.
4 Surplus Almost Exhausted
! '1f she increases the above monthly
requirement to 10000 tons by exports t,
these Mediterranean countries, aftel
the Italian surplus is exhausted in MAY
and by increasing her own Consumption
to more yearly normal figures, the
above 100000 tons will last one month
less, or until August LIST, and she viii
probably think it best to purchase 81,
600 tons more from outside sources
If the Dardanelles are not opened by
that time this must either come from
Java, Cuba or the United States.
II therefore appears that unless the
United States and Cuba offer sugars al
below new crop Java prices, France an,