Evening star., 1945-12-02

mood. He observed-logically enough
houses in his vicinity were bursting with
sugar, yet it continued to be rationed
on his dinner table. Why?
Millions of other Americans in sugar.
producing States today are doubtless
asking the same question. This report
er went to the Agriculture Department
seeking the answer, and came away sat-
isfied. Basically it lies in the world
rather than any 1ocal-sugar shortage.
But before going into the intricacies
of that situation, here are two generali-
cations as to the future, so far as the
sugar experts of the Agriculture Depart
ment can foresee it:
There is virtually no hope that the
American Government can end sugar
rationing before the last quarter of next
year, when the size Of the 1947 crop
shall have become evident.
There is definite possibility, how
ever, that the American housewife will
receive larger ration of sugar as early
as next April. That will depend pri-
marily on whether Cuban sugar-crop
prospects live up to present expecta-
tions.
70 Per Cent Comes From Abroad.
Delving into this sugar situation, the
simplest starting point, perhaps, is the
fact that in normal years the conti-
mental United States produces only 80
per cent of its own supply. In other
words, 10 out of every 100 pounds-and
the American people usually consume
100 pounds per capita-come from over
seas.
There are two primary sources of
American roduction-Louisiana and
Florida, which grow cane and process
1t, and the Rocky Mountain and North
western States, which refine sugar from
beets.
The compact population center of the
United States, extending from Maine
down through Massachusetts, and New
York and Pennsylvania through Wash
ington, normally depends entirely on
what is called "offshore" sugar-pri-
marily from Cuba. Other sections of
the United States, aside from those
that produce sugar, eat the Cuban crop
plus that of Puerto Rico, Hawaii and
the Philippines.
Last year the Cuban crop was short
due to drought. Because the Philippines
were occupied from 1912 until this sum-
mer by the Japanese and because the
islands were battlefield for nine
months none has been received from
there. Add to that the fact that West
srn Europe, which normally subsists on
its own sugar-beet crop, was a battle
field for more than a year in 1944-5,
and you have some appreciation of the
sugar short, not only in America but
throughout the world.
Advance Stocks Guarded.
Because of the shortage in the Cuban
corp, the eastern part OF the United
States has been supplied, in part with
sugar during the last year from Ameri-
can producing areas, particularly Loui-
siana and Florida. Advance stocks must
be kept for this big area of the country
until the situation is nearer normal, or
at least until the Cuban and Puerto
Rican crops have been harvested and
refined, which won't be before next
March.
The latter fact is the direct answer to
the irate Southern gentleman's query.
Dealing in statistics for a moment,
the experts in the Agriculture Depart
ment will explain that last year the
world used 100000 tons more sugar
than It produced. Consumption, 13,000,-
900 tons; production, 100000 tons.
deficit, 100000 tons. This deficit was
drawn from supplies accumulated in
warehouses during previous years. 1t
appears that the sugar supply must be
kept approximately year ahead of con-
sumption to be sure there won't be
really acute shortage due to general crop
failures of cane and sugar beets.
Eve of New Harvest.
Just now the sugar producing parts
of the western world are on the eve
of new harvest, and the prospects ap-
pear good, or at least far better than
last year.
In the United States sugar beet pro-
duction this fall is estimated at 1885,
600 tons, as compared with 985, 900 tons
last year. Current cane production is
expected to reach $4,000 tons. 1t was
only 437,000 last year. Estimated net
gain in the American crop, 453OOO tons.
Domestic stocks, they say at the Agri-
culture Department, are building up.
Due to the present shortage, an ex-
pedient is being adopted which is rarely
used in normal years. After sugar is
refined through the ordinary process
the resulting molasses contains resi-
due which can be extracted through a
process called Steffenizing. There are
only three or four Steffenizing refineries
In the United States and normally the
cost of shipping molasses to them from
the cane and beet refineries is not COM
mercially profitable, except for special
purposes. This year the Government is
subsidizing such shipments, and between
10000 and 10000 extra tons are to be
obtained through this process.
Cuban Crop Prospects.
In Cuba, sugar prospects are even
more auspicious than in the United
States. The present crop estimate there
for the spring of 1916 is 4,50O, 900 tons,
as compared with 100000 this year.
(Normally the Cuban cane crop is har-
vested in late December and January
and refining is completed by June.
Puerto Rico's coming crop, produced
at approximately the same time as
Cuba's, is estimated as 100000 tons, as
compared with 923,OoO last season.
Estimates on Hawaiian production are