The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-08-20
Salmon Market - Is Repbfted in
 Strong Position

Reflecting strength of business conditions throughout the country and the resulting beneficial effect upon the canned salmon market, the Pacific Fisherman, the organ of the commercial fisheries of the Pacific, says in it's August, 1886 issue, under the title, Canned
 Salmon Market in Strong Posi- tion"
 AS the new "pack-year" gets un- der way, salmon canners are strong ly impressed by the favorable mar ket outlook, based on the industry's statistical position, the course of current developments and the gen. eral business condition.
 Tn the first place, the statement of stocks on hand as of June 30 the end of the old ''pack-year"- given elsewhere in this issue, is most impressive. Aside from reflecting sales in June amounting to 333,029 cases (476 per cent more than for June, 1935), it shows a reduction in inventory of 610,339 cases or more than Al per cent from that at the beginning of the previous pack year" Taking into consid-I eration the 1885 pack of 6,037, ,548 cases, it shows sales during the year of 6657, ,887 cases, or 620,339 cases more than were produced last year.
 The Pink salmon situation is par ticularly encouraging. The pack last year-3,624, ,158 cases-was one of the largest on record, adding to- it the big 1885 carryover of lOl36l cases gave the enormous supply of 4,234 ,294 cases. Of this, only 480,- 236 cases were left on June 30-l sales amounted to 3,754,058 cases, or 130,900 cases more than the en- tire 1885 output.
 The figures on Reds also are grat- flying, showing a reduction in first hand stocks of 369,870 cases since June 30, l935. This years carryover is 230,086 cases less than that of June 30, 1884.
 Not only has the movement from packers hands been exceptionally heavy for several months past, but it has continued through July, with indications of a further gain t9lis month The trade has been buying freely, not for the future but to cover immediate needs. Many trav- elers who have lately visited eastern markets report, without exception, an unprec d e n e d turnover of canned salmon in wholesale and retail establishments everywhere. It is not merely being sold, but eaten dealers, like the packers, are car- rying no large surplus stock.
 This remarkable movement may be attributed in no small degree to the Canned Salmon Industrys ad- vertising program. which is gaining increased strength as it enters its oSNOAAu lloAi yCol dllu may Dc CA- pected to produce cumulative re- suits as it continues. Other fac tors, however, offer perhaps even more substantial ground for en- couragement. It is very evident that the general buying power of the public has definitely increased, and will increase still further. Business and industrial activity throughout the country has gained vastly since a year ago, resulting in more em- higher wages, better profits. se ,9sis a ep
 Reflecting this, the general level of food prices is advancing Thei tradeAboth jobbers and retailers as well as consumers, are getting used to the idea of higher prices. Values affording d reasonable re- turn to producers will encounter less resistance especially since the enactment of legislation tending to put all distributors on an equal competitive basis or Sciialae Y ou As for prices, it may be said that much depends on this years pack. which is far from completed. It is now possible, however, to form a rough estimate of the total. Alas t-.,ss,e !.