Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-09-18
:: Business And Financial News .:
Nd SUGAR SHORTAGE But LACK OF
SHIPPING IS TROUBLE, SAYS HOOVER

been an increased domestic demand
which would seemlngl. indicate the
storing OF domestic supplies Uy house
holders. possibly through fear OF
scarCity at this season. In 1915 the
amount taken Tor consumption IN Tue
United States from January 10 June
50 was 2,39i,2eI tons, while III the
same perlod of 1917 the amount so
absorbed was 2,G5U,527 tons. an in
crease OF 25o,Z66 tons, or lg.I per
cent over 1916. II this increase Is
due to advanced buying it will afford
a degree OF relief TO present demands.
The Cuban crop Ol l9lb-l1 has just
closed. II was UP 10 normal. II is
estimated that CuUa can yet furnish
from this crop $3.50 tons,
Hawaiian Crop Held Up
The Hawaiian crop. which closed
in July, gave $4,000 tons OF sugar
This has been unusually slow in
in reaching the United States because
OF scarcity OF shipping. About 200,-
600 tons still remain on the island.
The Philippines have on hand about
10000 tons and Java more than 60O,-
000 tons. This supply also becomes
problem OF shipping.
These four sources Of supply, with
the domestic stocks on hand, consti-
tute the present sugar resources of
the United States.
The harvest OF sugar beetS in Cali
fornia is now on and the first sugar
from there should begin arriving in
the market Immediately. Most Of the
domestic crop comes later, largely in
October. The crop planted for beet
sugar this year is much the largest in
our history and is reported in good
condition. The total production fore
cast at 100000 tons as against q
5-year pre.war average production of
724,346 tons.
The domestic cane sugar crop be-
gins to come in October. Estimates
are for about the same crop as last
year, or around 100000 tons as against
q pre-war 5-year average of 241,S37
tons.
Beet Sugar Agreement
The beet sugar producers of the
country have entered into an agree.
ment with the food administration
that they will sell beet sugar on a
cane basis of 1926 per hundred lbs.
at seaboard points Under this agree
meet after October / the price to the
wholesale trade at interior points will
be raised to $7.25 per hundred lb.
sack, plus freight charges from New
York, New Orleans, San Francisco or
other seaboard points
The wholesale grocers who pur-
chased sugar in large quantities with
the expectation of receiving materially
Increased prices are thus given to Oc-
tober to dispose of their holdings.
The lack of adequate shipping ia
cilities to reach the source of sugar
supply, and the imperative demand to
supply the needs of our Allies, consti-
tute the sugar problem OF the United
States, and creates the necessity for
sugar conservation recommended by
the food administration.
The conservation asked of the
American people does not necessarily
demand great sacrifices. 1t only needs
the elimination of waste and the care
full use of sugar to enable America
to make up the difference required
by the needs Of the Allies. The per
capita sugar consumption in the Unit
ed States is 1914 pounds per year,
while in Francs it is but As IS pounds,
and in Italy bit 11.6S pounds. Eng.
Land, which alone surpassed the Unit
ed States in per capita consumption
Of sugar. Is now upon a conservation
basis, whereby their per capita ecu
sumption is to be reduced from 9S.37
to Is pounds per year. No such de-
NAL is required Of the American PEG.
Dle