Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-09-07
INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES
ABROAD FOR FARM PRODUCTS
Exports Have Increased One Hundred
Per Cent in Quantity
Since 1914.

Up to four years ago but little sys-
wark had been done by the
United Stateo toward the promotion |
of the interests of American farmers
in export trade. Occasionally experts
were sent abroad to study demands
and methods in foreign countries. but
the information furnished was frag-
mentary and of general nature.
Then the United States Department
OF Agriculture organized a Division
of Foreign Marketing Investigations
as an adjunct of the Bureau of Mar
kets. Designed to assist normal trad
ing and the development of foreign
markets for American agricultural
products, the divisions work during
the war period was devoted largely
to preparation for conditions after
the cessation of hostilities. An ax-
tensive survey of the fruit markets
of the Far East and Australia was
made; and certain phases of the
live stock, meat dairy, and wool in
dustries of Australasia studied.
With the signing of the armistice
the Bureau of Markets got under
way plans for more extensive work
in foreign countries. such as investi-
cations of the. European seed markets
and an extensive survey of the live
stock, meat, and dairy situation. The
Bureau of Markets has the coopera-
tion of the Bureau of Foreign and
Domestic Commerce of the Depart
ment of Commerce and Of the Con-
sular Service of the Department Of
State.
There ere more tremendous oppor-
tunities than ever before for the
establishment of American trade in
agricultural products in foreign
markets. In 1910 the total foreign
trade in agricultural products APP
proximatad $1,O16,0OO,00O. In 1919
the business totaled $4,257. zoo, 900.
Allowing for the difference in the
buying power of the dollar in 1910
and in 1919, these figures still show
an increase of more than 100 per
cent. In food-stuffs alone, l. e.,
dairy products, meats, and bread
stuffs, the increase in the quantity
exported during the period from 1915
to 1919, inclusive, showed an increase
Of about 100 per cent over that OF
1910-1914.
OF course, this tremendous in.
crease was produced largely by war
conditions and conditions which re-
suited from the war. but every effort
should be made to maintain
this business and to increase it. The
Bureau Of Markets is actively engaged
to the limit of its capacity in obtain
ing the fullest information as to the
opportunities for the expectation of
all surplus farm products and in
placing these data before the Ameri
can farmer.
AS an example of what has been
accomplished. purebred live stock to
the value of 100000 have been pur-
chased in this country during the
past six months by South American
buyers to whom the bureau gave
assistance leading up to the sales.
Buyers of purebred live stock
throughout the world are coming in
increasing numbers to the United
States. where they are finding the
greatest number of breeds and assur-
ance of every facility for obtaining
exa city the animals desired.
The general subjects of investiga-
ton by the bureau are: $50,
/. The supply of agricultural prod
ucts in foreign markets and the
export surplus in the principal for
eign countries with which the United
States completes.
2. The consumption and demands
in the principal importing countries.
! 8. The market preferences as to
kinds of products and the require
ments as to grading, packing, and
branding.
4. The channels Of trade through
which the products pass and the bust
ness practices involved.
S. The methods and costs of mar
keting both American and foreign
products.
6. Methods of financing export
trade in agricultural products.
7. The export forwarding. storage,
transportation. and insurins OF asri'
cultural products.
8. The economic conditions infiu-
encing the marketing of American
agricultural products.
While few individual producers are
in a favorable position. on account OF
the limited volume of their produce