The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-07-16
AMERICA FEEDS
WORLD, FACTS
SHOW
Foodstuffs Exports From the
United States Increase
so Per Cent
BY ROBERT s. THORNBURGH.

| by hOBERT y. THOhNDOnUns
In spite of the great increase in
prices since the world war, food
stuffs exports from the United
States in the last five years are
over so peg cent heavier IN volume
than they were during the period
prior to 1913.
Although the United States con-
sumes more than 80 per cent of its
products-raw and manufactured
the farms and factories of this
lcountry, engaged in the production
of food, are continuing to feed the
world" according to q general sur
veyf conducted by the Department
of Commerce.
Amount Exported.
Before the war foodstuffs made
up 90 per cent OF the total domes-
tic exports of the United States,
whereas during the 1920-1924 period
the proportion was almost e. per
cent.
"In other words" said an official
statement from Secretary Hoover's
department, the foodstuff exports
are more than keeping pace with
the total export trade of the coun-
| try"
1 TOIu 40IV TO 1914 the aV6rHBS
value OF food exports was S435. $685..
900. Values for the last five years
were:
For the year 1920, $2,os7, OOO, 600:
1921, $1,3SS, 000, 900; 1922, $1,064,
900, 900; 1923, $3.50, 900, 900; 1924,
$3.50, 1920
Cereals a Factor.
Larger shipments of cereals, par.
ticularly wheat and rye, and fresh,
dried and canned fruits, together
with generally higher export prices,
| were the factors chiefly responsible
for the increase from 1923 to 1924.
Meat exports in 1924 were slight
ly smaller, but those of lard In.
creased.
The comparative figures lsince
the war indicated, first, the lack of
available food in Europe, with con.
sequent heavy drawing on pro-
ducers Of this country; second, the
lower buying power in Europe, as
shown by the gradual drop from
1920 to 1928, and, then, In 1924,
beginning of increased buying
power, resulting from improved
conditions abroad, with its demand
for food articles which a year or
two before had been considered
luxuries.
During the pre-war period" the
department pointed out, vegetable
food products made up SO per cent
Of the total exported foodstuffs,
whereas in the postwar years these
products comprised 6S per cent of
the total.
"It is interesting to note the
change in the food exports when
classified according to the degree
Of manufacture. During the fiscal
years 1910-1914 manufactured and
partly manufactured foods made up
70 per cent Of the total, and crude
or raw food and food animals 80
per cent.
Meats Decline.
"Since the war, however, manu-
featured foods have made up 81
per cent, while 43 per cent have
been crude. The increased relative
Importance Of wheat, rye and rice
and the decreased relative exports
of meats and fats and oils account
for this alteration in the trade"
The presence of American troops
In Europe put canned foods there
to stay. This group has made the
greatest relative increase among the
food exports. In the five pre-war
years, 1910-1914, canned food made
up 3.S per cent of the total value
of food exports while in 1924 this
class made up 7.3 per cent. Canned
fruit, fish and milk have made par
ticuIarly notable increases.