The Washington herald., 1920-02-18
PACKERS STOP.
: EXPORT TRADE
Situation Serious S a y S
American Packers
Institute.
POINT OUT REASONS
Full Analysis Of Foreign
Markets
Given.

Millions of dollars of packing
house products are being held in
this country and the foreign trade
IN these products has practically
ceased. according to a resume of
the situation given out by the In
stitute of American meat packers.
Hardly any pork products are be-
ing sold in foreign markets. al
though the exports of this commO-
dity last year totalled 2,50O, ,O0O, coo
pounds
The packing industry is one OF
the largest in the country. and the
seriousness of the situation cannot
be overestimated. and its possibili-
ties of affecting economic condi-
tlons in the states are. far and
wide. The present exchange rates
are responsible for the entire situa-
ton. and products of American
packing house branches in foreign
countries are practically unable to
dispose of the products.
The Institutes statement says:
The export trade of the packing
Industry, which Is the largest in
dustry in America. has practically
ceased. The significance of this fact
viii be apparent when II is remem-
bered that the United States nor
mally exports a considerable part
OF its federally inspected pork prod
ucts. Exports of pork products in
the year just closed exceeded two
and half hfI1fnn
the last regular monthly review of
the meat and livestock situation by
the institute. there has been no ade-
quate Improvement i'm the foreign
exchange situation. This accounts
Tor the present practical cessation
OF pork exports. Beef exports
ceased some time ago.
The following is a resume of the
meat situation abroad:
United kingdom-It is estimated
that there are approximately 275.-
VoO.OOO pounds OF bacon in the
United Kingdom and afioat in the
hands Of the British ministry of
foods. their appointed agents, whole
salers and retailers. This is equiv
alent. at The present rate Of con-
sumption in the United Kingdom.
t. nearly seven months supply. It
Is further estimated that England
IL receiving supplies Of English
irish, Danish and Canadian bacon
very nearly adequate to present
consumption.
Termany-Agents III Germany of
American packers who have meat
there are unable to sell il and are,
therefore. forced to put IT into cold
storage. The German government is
orable 10 make purchases in ac-
c"puabIe currency. The government
recently made 2 proposal to pay for
ucats in Germsu treasury notes
-unf':F..- "~"r q period Of five years,
~ -.E course. Is unacceptable.
'''lland-Sales in Holland ravr
o .,ciICallv ceased Tie situation
there may be Eauged by the fact
that in some quarters the return
o America Of lard and boxed pork
aOw in Holland has been recon-
ncnded
"Belgium-SaIes have been very
.icht. Such sales as have been
NADIA few boxes of meats weekly
lere and ther"-havc been cuuSum-
mated at disadvantageous prices.
"FranCe-Salcs have stopped en-
-HtlN- Nd dppFtSldDle business has
Jecn done there in the past week
n two Present advices GTc that
1Tder present exchange conditions
he trade will lie very small, il
any.
'SCandinavia-it has been hoped
hat the decision of the allied coun-
Ill to allow the Russian co-Opera
iv" societies to import would en-
Ibl" the COnsiEnments az Scandi-
1aVisn points to be sold for ship
Nent into Russia, hut representa-
ives at Copenhagen have Cabied
hat there is practically no change
n tn" situation and no boxed meats
Dr lard are moving.
'ItsIy-Therc has been no bust
less with Italy for some time. and
he prospects Of any developing
IRE very poor.