\-\ D :::> 4G,L\ £ Fisheries and Environment P~ches et Environnement C 2..\ \ I .... Canada Canada 0049871 0 \ ~4-2. CANADA DfPAR TMfN T Of TRAD DFO , rary I MPO • Bibliotheque f AND CJ~~~RCE 1111\ l ~ l i lllll ll llllfl~ l~l! !!lll llll llll 12026083 :RKETS FOR FISH
in the BRITISH. WEST INDIES and LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES
I
HD 9464 C211 1942 cooy 2 MARKETS FOR FISH
IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES and LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES
THE LIBRARY BEDFORD INSTITUTE Of OCEANOGRAPHY 80X 1006 DARTMOUTH, N.S. 82Y 4A2
Reprinted from the Commereial J11/tlligt11ce Journot
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND COMMERCE COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICE OTTAWA, CANADA 1942 r
CONTENTS
PAGE British West Indian Markets- Ilarbudos ...... 5 British Guiana ...... • ...... • ...... 5 Leeward Islands ...... 5 Trinidad ...... · ····················· · 5 Windward Islands ...... · · · · 5
Bahamas ...... • . 13 Jamnica ...... • ...... 14 British Honduras ...... • . . H
Latin American Markets- Cuba ...... 21 Dominican Republic ...... 44 Haiti...... · . ··. ········ ······ ·· ·········· · ·········· ·· ·· .... . 50 Puert,o Rico ...... 55
M exico ...... • ...... • ...... • . ························• ··· · ······· ···· 60 Costa Rica ...... 69 Nicaragua ...... 69 Panamn...... • .. 70 Colombia ...... 70 Venezuela ...... • ...... 70 Netherlands West Indies ...... 71
Argentina ...... • ...... 72 75 Brazil ......
Bolivia...... 81 Chile...... 83 Ecuador...... 84 Peru...... 85
56962-14 ~ := rJ N D~Nq 4- .::r 01 u 0\ d I
BRITISH WEST INDIAN MARKETS
BARBADOS, LEEWARD AND WINDWARD ISLANDS, TRINIDAD AND BRITISH GUIANA
G. A. NEWMAN, CANADIAN TRADE COMMISSIONER Port of Spain, January 30, 1942.-The types of fish imported into the British West Indies (Eastern Group) and British Guiana are the direct outcome of economic conditions prevailing in these colonies. Most of the 1,360,000 inha'bitants of these over-populated territories are dependent on a.griculture for a livelihood, and during the years 1929 to 1939 when prices of sugar, the principal cash crop, declined from lls. 6d. per cwt. f.o, b. to 7s. 6cL per cwt., the coloured1agricultural worker experienced. a difficult time. During this period a worker received a ·wage of about 24 cents per day, of which hardly more than 7 cents was used for food. Purchased in two- or three cent quantities, it consisted of penny loaves, driblets of flour and rice, bits of salt fish or pickled meat, small cuts of cheese, dabs of :butter, and other easily divided low-priced foods. This demand provided a market for cheap fish suita:bly prepared for tropical conditions, for the dry salt Nova Scotia and Newfoundland codfish, pol.lock and hake, pickled mackerel and salmon, smoked herring and low-grade tinned salmon and sardines. Bulked together, such imports for the British West Indies (Eastern Group) and British Guiana in 1939 ·had a substantial value of $1,487,000. The total value comprised 69·5 per cent dry salt fish, 23·2 per cent canned fish, and 7 ·3 per cent pickled fish. Distribution values according to principal markets were as follows, the Canadian dollar being at a 9t per cent premium over tJhe B.W.I. dollar:- Imports of Fish by Types and Countrfos of Supply in 1939 Saited and Cured Fish Pickled F ish Canned Fish Values in B.W.I. Dollars Trinidad ...... 388,986* 52,748 170,0GS British Guiana ...... 198,688 24,964 98,967 Barbados ...... 235,353 11,121 57,739 Leeward Islands ...... 88,483 13,195 10,924 Grenada ...... • . . . .. 56,784 4,224 5,524 St. Lucia ...... 34,185t l,459t 480t St. Vincent ...... 31,113t 427t l,766t 1,033,592 108,138 345,465 *Trinidad figures are for dry salt codfish only. t 1938 figures.
DRY SAI/l' FISH Imports of dry salt fish into this territory have remained fairly steady during the past few years. In 1936 the estimated value was Sl,500,000, and it was only slightly lower, a:bout $1,034:,000, in 1939. Canada supplied 25 per cent of the total imports in the former year and 47 ·4 per cent in the latter, the note worthy percentage increase •being due to an e:xipanding market for Canadian pollock in British Guiana and impl'oved imports of Nova Scotian codfish into Trinidad as indicated in the following ta'ble, which shows total imports of dried, 5 66962-2 I
FISH MARICE7'S IN 'l'HE B.IV.l. AND LA'l'lN AMERICA 7
l3ARBADOS, WL'fDWAR)) AND LEEWAJ,lO i[SLANDS These colonies without exception -are wholly dependent on agricultme as a source of income, and in all of them serious over-populati·on tends to depress wa.ges. Barbados.-The importation of culls a.ncl low-price<;! coclfo~h from Newfound land on consignment has met this colony's 11eed for very cheap fo.od 1 but it has closed the market to Canadian shippers 0£ higher-priced Novi). Scotian dry salt codfish . It is not surpl:isfog, therefore, that Canada s\1pplied only 13 per cent of t.he colony's dry salt and cured fish in 1939. Windward Islands.-The neighbouring islands of Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Dominica obtained abo.ut 68 per cent of their total imports of dry salt fish from Newfoundland in the period 1934 to 1938. Much of it was transhippecl thy schooner from Barbados. Of the. four colonies St. Lucia was most favomable to Nova Scotian dry salt fish, imports being about equal to those from Newfoundland. LeeW(trd Islands.-Tbere is no distinction in the local customs figures between irnports frorn Canada and Newfoundland, but imports must consist of Newfoundland codfish and low-priced salt fish such as .pollack from Canada. Dominion export figures indicate that for the general area of the Leeward and Windward Islands exports from Canada 'have remained between 4,000 and 5,000 'hundredweights of codfish in recent years, while there has been a steady increase in the supply of dry salt pollack, hake, etc., from 4,628 hundredweights in 1934 to 8,691 'hundredweights in 1939.
BRITISH GUIANA The resources of British Guiana are ,more var:i~~ than ,those .of the other colonies, but the majority of the population is still dependent o.u agriculture for a livelihood and in receipt of limited incomes. Large pollock is the principal type of dry salt fish imported. Since 1932, imports from Canada have increased steadily, and imports from the United Kingdom •have declined. This is attributed to lowered freight rate for shipments fro)ll Canada and a reduction in supphes from Iceland, on which United Kingdom exporters were dependent. T~INIDAP With an estimated pre-war population of 465,000, 'f1:inidad is the most industrialized of all the colonies in this territory. Expanding oilfi:eld operations and, mo.re recently, the construction of United States bases have contributed to the maintenance of a buying power that is considerably higher than in the other colonies. This has permitted Trinidad to become the prime market for comparatively high-priced Novtj. Scotian dry salt codfish, which -constitutes about 72 per cent oj the average total imports valued at $338,000 (B.W.I.) per annum. The demand is fo r medium, large and extra large white, thick codfish, but experience has shown that the best keeping fish is medium cured, dry salted codfish. As there is only a limitech number of Nova Scotian shippers, it was possible in 1937 to organize a Trinidad Expol'ters Oroup, which ensured more stabilized marketing in Trinidad. PRICES T he prices for Nova Scotian codfish in 1939 (pre-war) per cask c.i.f. Trinidad were 120s., 130s., and 1403. for medium, large and extra large fish ·respectively. At that time Newfoundland codfish was selling at $21 to $23 56962-2! 6 DEPARTMENT OF TRADE A.YD COMMERCE, CANADA salted or cured fish into each of the colonies of this territory, with figure:> for each of the principal sources of supply:- Trinidad Imports of Dry Salted Codfish 5-Year A\•crage 1939 1040 1934·38 Cwt. $B.W.I. Cwt. $D.W.T. Cwt. $D.W.I. Total ...... 53,720 388,986 46,981 412,463 51.017 338,001 Canada ...... 35,237 279,622 34,052 318,557 34,017 244,365 Newfoundland ...... • 17,878 105,078 12,849 93,354 13,9 13 76,343 Barbados bnvorts of Fish, Dry Saltecl or Smolt:ed 5-Ycar Avernge 1!)39 1940 1934-38 Qu intnls £ Quintnls £ Qui ntnls £ Total ..•.••...... 42,637 49,032 33,002 42,902 46,537 56,952 Cnnndn ...... 5,576 6,412 5,124 6,6Gl 7,10l 6,824 Ncwfoundlancl ...... • 36,789 42,307 27,878 30,241 39,372 47,801 British Guian
FISH MARKETS IN THE B.W.l. AND LATIN AMERICA 9
lNDIVIDUAL MARKETS Trinidad.- lmports from Canada into Trinidad, increasing at the rate of about 1,000 cwt. 1per annum, have quadrupled since 1932. It is estimated that 55 .per cent of these imports consisted of low-priced chum and .pink salmon and the remainder of sardines in oil. D emand is always strong, and with the estab lishment of the United States bases providing increased population and general employment, the increase in imports should continue when supplies are available. British Guicina.-This is the second most important market for canned fis'h in the territory. Having a considerable Portuguese population, it equals 'Prinidad as a market for sardines. About 71 ·5 per cent of its canned fish imports from Canada in 1939 consisted of this product. Barbados, Leeward a.nd Windward I slcinds.-The volurne of canned fish imports of these colonies has shown little improvement during the past ten years. Barbados imports from Canada in 1939 consisted of approximately 5'4 per cent canned salmon and the remainder of sardines. In the smaller Leeward and Windward Islands, where shipping facilities from Eastern Canada are better than from the Pacific coa,5t, sardines comprised about 82 per cent of the 1939 canned fish imports from the Dominion.
I.OCAL DlS'fRIDUTION Canned fish is distributed locally through two distinct channels. The high class grocery trade, numbering from two to six grocery retnilers in each market and catering to the wealthier sections of the community, purchase most of the red Alaska salmon imported from the United States together with some high-grade salmon from Canada; while the twenty or more wholesale provision merchants in each colony, who distribute to small shop-keepers catering to the working classes, import most of the chum and pink salmon and low-priced sardines.
PRTCES
During the years J 938 and 1939 Libby's Red Alaska tails f'old to the high class grocers at U.S.$2 to U.S.$2.50 per dozen c.i.f. Chum sn,lmon in tall tins, which is the most popubr type of canned salmon imported from Canada, was sold to the provision merchants at about the same time at $3.90 to 8'1.25 (Cana dian) c.i.f. per case of 48 tins, while sardines \Yere being sole! at $3.75 (Canaditin) c.i.f. per case of 100 3-}-ounce tins. Since the war, supplies of canned fish have become difficult to obtnin, and prices are no longer representativr of normal trade conditions. \Vholcsnle and retail prices arc set by colonial government price control committees. These prices are based on prevailing c.i.f. prices to merchants and allow them a satis factory profit nfter duty and difference of exchange have been taken into consideration. Under these conditions the controller! prices for canned fish in Trinidad on January 31, 1942, in terms of B.W.I. do '. lars, were as follo,,·s:-
Wholesale ReLnil B.w.r. Dollars Pinks nncl cln11ni1, .JS ls ...... , . . . . 8.iO 0.22 Pinks and chums, 96 ~s ...... 10.20 0.13! Red Alaska, 48 ls...... 16.60 0.40 Sardiues in oi l, 100 3~·oz. t.ins ...... • . .. 5.40 0.6} Sn relines in tomato sauce, 48 14-oz. tins ...... G.50 0.16 .....
8 DEPARTMEN7' OF TRADE AND C01l(MERCE, CA.VADA (Canadian) c.i.f. per cask according to grade. Since the outbreak of war, prices for Nova Scotian dry salt codfish have doubled and current quotations are 260s. to 280s. c.i.f. per cask according to grade, while Newfoundland codfish is selling at $53 to $55 (Canadian) c.i.f. Normally the pre-war retail price for Nova Scotian codfish was from 10 cents to 12 cents per pound. At present it is 18 to 20 cents per pound and that of Newfoundland codfish is 16 to 17 cents per pound. Prices for alternative foods such as pickled meats and canned salmon are at a corresponding level. The fact that these prices are being sustained without marked restriction of imports indicates the heavy increase in local wages as a .result of the war.
CANNED FISH The British West Indies (Eastern Group) and British Guiana provide a market for low-priced chum and pink salmon, sardines in oil, and, in lesser quantities, red Alaska salmon. This market for canned fish dropped sharply in 1929 when the depression reduced the purchasing power of the coloured agricultural worker, but it gradu ally recovered in the years that followed. From 1934 to 1938 the value of annual imports of canned fis11 averaged about $208,941 and in 1939 rose to $343,219. Throughout the decade Canada remained the principal source of supply, accounting for 65 ·2 per cent of the average annual imports during the years 1934 to 1938 and for 72·1 per cent of the imports in 1939. These supplies from Canada consisted of about equal quantities of cheap salmon and sardines. The United States, supplying comparatively high-priced Alaska red salmon, was lhc only other important source and was credited with 15 ·4 per cent of the imports in 1939. As shown in the following detailed import figures, Trinidad, because of its greater industrialization and therefore greater purc11asing power, is by far the most important market for canned fish, abso11bing some 50 per cent of the total annual imports. Principal Imports of Canned Fish by Colonies Total Canadq, United Stntes Trinidnd- Cwt. $ Cwt. $ Cwt. $ 1940 •...... 10,352 186,602 8,862 144,569 1,319 34,338 1939 ...... • . . 11,461 170,065 9,317 121,491 1,838 39,259 li·yr. average 193!1·38 . . . . 6,451 91 ,904 4,811 59,583 1,243 21,281 British Guinna- 1940 ...... 3,813 75,985 ' 3,394 64,794 322 7,685 1939 ...... •...... 5,940 98,967 4,845 76,329 690 15,520 5-yr. a\"erage, 1934-38 .... 4,002 63,051 2,962 42,969 489 10,305 Barbados- 1940 ...... ••...... 40,300 . ... 33,830 . ... 5,664 1939 ... . • ...... •• . ... 57,739 . ... 36,331 . ... 7,137 5-y1·. average, 1934·88...... 37,353 . .. . 21,403 . ... 8,692 Leeward Islnuds- 1040 ...... 558 10,948 532 10,262 3 110 1930 ...... 648 10,924 535 8,620 28 768 4-yr. average, 1935-38 ..•. 595 9,667 46'1 7,286 26 556 Grenada- 1940 ...... : ... 210 4,248 203 4,036 0.6 24 1939 ...... 307 5,524 264 4,742 9 153 4-yr. average, 1935·38 .... 288 4,742 224 3,619 12 230 Bt. Lucia- 4-yr. average, 1935-38 , . , . 28 613 12 227 3 85 St. Vincent- 4-yr. average, 1935-38 ...• 82 1,611 70 •l,298 4 104 ,..--
PISH MARKETS IN THE B.W.l. AND L11'1'IN AMERICA 11 British 'rotaI North America* Leeward Islands- Drl. o[ 200 Lb. S Dr!. $ 1940 ...... 2,328 13,680 2,325 13,579 1939 ...... ' ...... 2,060 13,195 2,049 13,132 3-year a,·erage, 1936-38 ...... 2,068 13,276 2,065 13,190 *Includes Canada and Newfoundland. St. Kitts l'eceived approximately 60% of ;total imports. .Total Canada Newfoundland Grenada- Br!. of 200 Lb. $ Brl. $ Br!. $ 1940 ...... ' . . . . 232 2,208 229 2,174 2 33 1939 ...... ' ...... 510 4,224 489 4,036 20 187 4-year average, 1935-38...... 481 3,988 447 3,700 31 278 St. Lucia, 4-year a \•erage, 1935-38. . 83 960 81 931 3 50 St. Vincent*, 4-yenr aver:i.ge, 1935·38 21 345 12 187 9 158 * Picklecl salmon impor ts for 1936·38.
GRADE A~D PACKING Pickled mackerel, in small, medium and large grades, is imported in barrels of 200 pounds net. Fish with good red colour is preferred, but; the size pur chased depends mainly ·on the price.
PRICES In April 1940 pickled mackerel \\'as being purchased in J3rit;ish Guiana at $8 (Ca.nadian) per barrel .c.i.f. for small grade, $9 per barrel for medium, and $10 for la-rge. The duty-paid price quoted in November, 1940, was $9.40 to Sl0.50 (British Guiana currency), t he duliy being $1 per barrel. By Decem ber, 1941, the duty-paid price had risen •to $20 (Bri·tish Guiana currency) per barrel. Pickled salmon, large size, was quoted in Trinidad in 1941 a.t $22 (Cana dian) c.i.f. per barrel of 200 pounds net ,and at $24 per barrel in 1942. At present the Trinidad controlled price for pickled salmon is $28 to $30 per bane! wholesale. This price includes a duliy of $1.15 per barrel, approximately 10 per cent; exchange, and profit to wholesaler. The controlled retail price is 22 to 23 cents per pound. At t his price pickled salmon is more expensive than pickled meats or tinned salmon.
BLOATERS AND SMOKED HERRING Imports of bloaters and smoked henjng into this territory -are mainly from Oanacla. In the absence oJ a.ny local impor t figures, Canadian staliistics reveal that at the beginning of the depre8sion years there was a decided slump in imports from Canada. Bloater ·and smoked herring exports ·to this terri·tory were valued at $147,928 in 1930, $43,325 in 1933 and $24,021 in 1939. Apart from the decreased purchasing power during the depression years, the reduction in imports of smoked herring is attributed to a diversion of demand to canned fish. There is some suppo11t for this assumption in that impor.ts into Trinidad, which account for between 60 and 70 per cent of the total smoked herring imports into the territory, showed a marked decline during the decade, coincident wilih a steady improvement in imports of canned fish. The volume sale is in smoked hening whid1 must retail at one cent each or, if need be, ,at three fo r two cents. This places clearly defined limits on the minimum count; of fish per 18-pound box •and •the maximum c.i.f. price, which can only be exceeded with a prospect of loss of trade. Without entering into details of retail and wholesale profits involved, it implies a count. of at least 120 to 140 per box and a c.i.f. price of 72 to 85 cents per box (Canadian currency). Actually the pre-n1m· price was within this l0imit, but sinice 1939 it has increased steadily-the current quot.ation being Sl.90 (Canadian) per box f.o.b. and t he count; anywhere from 80 to 120 per box. Normally this price would result in 10 DEPAR'l'MEN1' OP TRADE A.YD CO.l! MERCE, CA.VADA
MARJU71' PROSPECTS Prospects for the sale of canned fish depend largely on improved purchasing capacity of the Jaboming classes. Their numbers arc steadily increasing, but it is reasona:ble to expect that in certain colonies, such as Trinidad and British Guiana where United States bases are established and where some industrializa tion is possible, It steady increase in the demand for canned fi sh will develop.
PICKLED AND SMOI
Principal Imports of Pickled Fish by Colonies
.Total Cnnada ~ewrou11dland Triuiclnd- Cwt. $ Cwt. $ Cwt. $ 19·10 ...... 5,302 43,418 4.784 31,577 301i 4,745 1939 ...... 7.34<1 52,748 5,325 30,149 l ,43-1 11,262 4-year aYeragc, 1035-38 ...... O.H3 42.!J33 5,355 30.70i 203 3.125
Total Canada ~ewfoundland British C ui ann- Brl. of 200 Lb. $ Brl. • $ Brl. $ 1940 ...... •...... 3,243 25,835 3,230 '25, 750 3 85 1030 ...... 3,143 24,004 3,143 24,0(JJ .... 4·yea r a ,·cragc, 1035-38 . . 2,7i4 l!l,523 (approximately all rrom Cnnndn)
.Total Connel a Newfoundland Bnrl>aclos- llrl. or 200 Lb. $ Drl. $ Brl. $ 1040 ...... 1.101 0.244 650 5,025 445 4,219 1!J30 ...... 1,304 11.121 523 • 3,092 SH 7,430 4-ycnr nver age, 1035-38 ... . 1,4 17 0,820 006 5,116 508 4,604 ~
F'/Sll MAR!\E'l'S JN 'l'l/FJ B.11'.l. AND LATIN AJ\IERICA 13
British Preferential General llritish Guiann- Tariff 'l'a riff Fresh fish, noL im11orted i 11 cold stor;ige ...... F 1·ee Free Fresh fish, wheu irnpoi-Led in ~ol d storage ...... per twL. 75 cts. $2.25 Fish, tinned or canned or presen·cd in jars or bottles . .. per 100 lbs. $1.00 $3.00 Smoked, clt·ied or salted fish : ?ll o1·ocut ...... per cwt. 8 cts . 50 cts. Shrimps ...... per cwt. 38 ots. $1.14 Othe1· than morocut and shrimps .. .. per cwt. 75 cts. $2.25 Pick led fish : :,racke1·el and salmon ...... per 200 lbs. $1.00 $3.00 Othe1· than mackerel and salmon ...... per 200 lbs. 50 cts. $1.50 Surtax: 30% of duty. Entry tax: 3% ad \·alorem.
BAHAJ\IAS, BRITISH HONDURAS, AND JAMAICA
F. \V. FRASER, CANAOIAX TRADF. COllfl\rISSIO~EH Kingston, .January 24, 1942.-In the Bahamas and British Hondmas the clcmancl for imported fish is inconsiderable, primarily because these colonies IHwe small populations, of about 60,000 rach, and ai!Ro because both have fair sizcd fisheries supplying clomesti1c needs.
Bahamas In gcnernl, good grades of imported fish are solrl jn the Bahamas. Canned fish ranks first in t he import trade. During the calendar year 1940, which is the latest avai lable period of record, total impo11ts of this kind were valued at £3.729 f.o.b. countries of origin. Of this amount the United States supplied to a value of £2,090; Canada, £1.281; Russin, £304; and the United Kingdom and Norway the neg ligible rc:mainder. lmports of ch·ied. ::alt;e FISH MARKETS JN THE B.TV.l. AND LATIN AMERICA 15 fixes prices and grades and in general conducts a trade promotion service in export fields. It has been stated on 1behalf of Newfoundland fish interests bha.t the heavy decline in imports disclosed by the 1941 figmes was mainly due to the faict that during most of t.hat year supplies of Newfoundland codfish available for the Jamaican market were short 1because exports from that country had been diverted elsewhere, notably to Spain, Portugal and Brazil, where higher prices could be obtained. t-han in Jamaica. Moreover, there was an actual shortage in the Newfoundland catch resulting from the departure abroad of many New foundlanders for war service and from the employment of others in defence projects, which were and are more attractive than. fishing. On the other hand, the advance in price which became effective in October last appears to have reduced sales to Jamaica, at least to some extent. New foundland exporters, whose offerings had• been scarce during the preceding months of 1941, are reported then to have ·begun to show more interest in the Jamaican market, but. some local agents state that buyers held off because they were l!nwilling to pay the higher prices asked. PICKLED MACKEREL Pickled ma.ckerel hold second place in Jamaican popular taste, and large fish are preferred to .small; the latter are, however, sold in appreciable quantities. Canada has and long has had almost all this business. Since 1938 imports of mackerel have moderately increased, clue probably to the ad¥ance in the price of dried ·cod. In the period January 1 to Novemiber ~O, 1941, the imports tot.ailed 8,299,200 pounds valued at £98,805 c.i.f. as compared with 8,034,500 pounds (£68,951) in the calendar year 1940, 7,860,500 pounds (£59,3'5'5) in 1939, and 7,060,050 pounds (£50,848) in 1938. PICKLED ALEWIVES Third in importance (so far as dried and' pickled fish are concerned and excluding canned fish, which comprises several kinds) are pickled alewives, of which Canada is and long ·has been the -chief supplier. In the period January November, 1941, imports totalled 2,505,100 pounds (£23,275) as against 2,083,000 pound.s (£14,434) in the calendar year 1940, 1,501,100 pounds (£8,9831) in 1939, and 2,088,000 pounds (£12,320) in 1938. PICKLED HERRING Many yea.rs a.go pickled herring was second to dried salted cod in popular favour but has since lost this pl.ace to mackerel. Imports of the former are not large, amount.ing in the eleven months ending November, 1941, to 307,600 pounds (£3,518), as compared with 511,800 pounds (£4,079) in the calendar year 1940, 685,216 pounds (£4,010) in 193·9, and 381,450 pounds (£2,411) in 1938. Canada is the chief supplier. Large and medium .sizes a.re mainly in demand; there is not much demand for small herring. SMOKED HERRING AND PICKLED SALMON Smoked herring and pickled salmon are regularly imported but are by comparison only minor items in Jamaica's trade in ch·iecl and pickled fish. In the eleven months ending November, 1941, imports of the first-named totalled 196,901 pounds (£3,087) and of the second 631,250 pounds (£1,803). In the calendar year 1940 the imports were: smoked herring, 48,117 pounds (£914); pickled salmon, 3·1,900 pound.s (£839). Imports in 1939 were, respectively, 99,894 pounds (£1,067) and 43,800 pounds (£847); and in 1938, 109,203 pounds 56Q62-3~ 14 DEPAR'1'1\JEN'l' Ofi' 'l'RADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA B1·itish Hondu1·as Unlike the Bahamas, British Honduras has no rtomist trade and a notably poarer population, most of whom are engaged in lumbering and spend the g·reater portion of their time in lumber camps in the interior. For this reason canned fish is the chief type imported. In 1940 such imports totailled 744 hundredweights (of 112 pounds) valued at $9,962 'c.i.f. Belize. Of this amount Canada shipped 638 hundredweights ($8,205) and the United States 88 hundredweights (SI,308). Salmon and sardines were the principal kinds. In that year dried, salted, smoked and pickled fish were also imported .to the amount of 160 hundredweights (Sl,565), of which Canada supplied 101 hundredweights ($764); Norway, 37 hundredweights (S348); the United States, 18 hundredweights ($403) ; and Denmark the small remainder. Cod was the largest item. Of fresh fish a total of only 6 hundredweights (Sl 70) was imported, a•lmost entirnly from the United States. The currency of British Honduras is based on the United Stiates gold dollar. Import duties ·are IO per cent ad valorem under the Bl'itish preferen~ial tariff and 20 per .cent under· the general tariff Oil all kinds ex-cept fresh fish, which is free of duty under the former tariff and pays 5 per cent ad valorem under the latter. In addition, a package tax of IO •cents is payable Oil every package landed, and this is now subject to a war surtax of 5 cents per package. Many kinds of fish are caught regula11Jy and plentifully in British Honduras coastal waters and the rivers. The catch is sold at low prices in Belize and other towns. The industry is of fair size, but particulars of output are not available. Most of the fish are eaten fresh, but some are dried or corned. The British Honduras customs 1·etums for 1940 show that small quantities of concbes and of fresh and dried or salfod fish, all domestic produce, were exported in that year to Mexico and the Republic of Honduras. Jamaica The Jamaican trade in imported fi sh of various types is considerable and has been long established. Dried cod, pickled mackerel, pickled ale\\'ives and canned salmon and sardines are large items of popular diet in this colony; pickled herrings are also consumed, but to a much less extent. There is normally a small luxury trade done in imported fresh fish, but wa.Ttime regulations have made this trade still smaller. The coastal waters of J amaica abom\d with various kinds of tropical fish tha.t are eaten in fair quantities, hut this local fish is dearer than the imported preserved kinds. 'The industry is not organized, fishing being carried on by a number of fishermen living in the seaport towns, who make a modest living in this way. Methods of distribution are more or •less primitive, and facilities for refrigeration are limited. Efforts have been made in recent years to improve conditions, but li ttle of impo11tance has been accomplished. DRIED SALTED, SMOKED AND PICKLED FISH CODFISH The laTgest seller is dried salted cod, and the preYailing demand is for fish of medium quality and of hard, brown cure in large, medium and small sizes. Only relatively small quantities of really high-grade fish are impo1,ted. The main requfrement as to cure is that the fish should keep for some months in a hot climate. In the eleven months ending November 30, 1941, total imports of dried salted fish (mostly cod) into Jamaica were 8,776,876 pounds valued at £193,038 c.i.f. Imports in the calencla1· year 19'10 totalled 11 ,469.835 pounds (£180,416) ; in 1939, 17,428,907 pounds (£202,884); and in 1938, 18,238,721 pounds (£212,180). Included in these figul'es are sma,JJ quantities of hake and pollock. As is wel l k nown, Newfoundland is and long has been ~l1c largest supplier in the Jamaican codfish trade. Dul'ing the past few years Newfoundland's exports to all markets have been controlled by the Ne\\'foundland Fisheries Board. which 1 FISH ,l/ARl\.E'l'S JN 'l'JIE B.W.!. AND LA'l'!N AMERICA 17 Bus1~ESs l'vJ ©THons J.mportecl dried and pickled fi sh is sold chiefly through resident commission agents, mostly large and well-established firms. They regularly cover the whole sale trade, wh ich is predominantly in Chinese hands. Sometimes, however, tbe agents buy outright for their own account on .cash terms. Canned fish is as a rule purchased in this way and in quantit:-· (e.g. a carload of salmon or sardines) by large distributors, generally ngainsc sight drafts or irrev·ocable letters of credit. CusTol\fs DuT.ms Fish and fi sh producl:- imported into .Tama.ica arc subject to the follO\\· ing duties:- British PreCercntial Gcncrnl Tariff Tndff Sal111un anti trout: 1·11rcd. dl'icd. snlte1l. ~m okNl or pickled pet· 100 lb. 5s. 10~ . ,\l ewin·~. henini:. macke1·el: t ai·etl. dl'icd. ga Heel, ~moked or pickled...... ))Cl' 100 lb. 2s. 4s. Othc1· kinck cnr('(I. dr:C'd. Ral t.ed. smoked or pic·kled ))Cl' 100 Jb. 3s.6d. 7s. l<'resh. lllH:lll'Cd. inclucling all refrigerated ...... ad val. 10% 20% Cannctl ...... , .... , ...< 1d vnl. 10% 20 % C'rnl li,•t: r nnd other fi sh oil ...... , ...... ncl val. 15% 20% Fis!, 111a11u1·e ...... Free Free Ad valorern duties a.re a.ssessed on the c.i.f. value, which includes wharfage charges. In addition , a tax of 2s. is imp9secl on each package, and, if a package weighs more than 448 pounds, there is a further charge of 6cl. per 112 pounds. Do:vrnsnc lNDUS'l'.HY Detailed information as to the extent of the catch of fish in .Jamaican coasta l waters is not arnil:o\lble. but it i:o estimated at 2,000,000 pounds annually in round fi gures, representing a Yalue of £65,000 to £70,000. Between 900 and 1,000 persons arc reported lo be engaged in this industry. As the Island's population is about 1,250,000, iL is apparent tha.t the annual pe1· capita consump tion of local fi sh is smnll. The fi sh is sold fresh and peddled from house to house in Ki ngston and other town ~ . l\!Iiddlemen and contractors to hotels and other institution;:; sometimes btff •in bulk from the fi shermen. Fish of this kind is also sold in the publir markets. Retail prices in Kingston range from lOd. to l s. 3d . per pound for good table rnrieties such as kingfish, mullet and sna.pper; prices in the country are IO \\· er. Sprnt.s, to which the poorer people are .partial and which are fried and sold in public places, usually along the sidewalks and outside markets 011 days ,,!Jen the peasants come to town to sell their frnit and vegetables, arc retailed by number and a.re rather cheaper. Ll the past three or fom years plans have been discussed favouring the development of the local fishing industry by modernizing its methods and e,·cn by providing fac ilities fo r curing. Fishermen have been urged to co-operate in their own interests, and public heallh authorities have occasionall y extolled the superior nutritive quali ties of local fresh fish, 1but the results of these activit.ies have been negligible so fa r, and suppli es continue to be scarce. The .Tama.ira Government i\Iarketing Department buys fresh fish on the beaches from the fi shermen and stores it at a refrigeration plant in the city, from \vhich it is sole! to peddlers and also io individual consumers. PnrcE Cowr.nor, The .Jamaica GoYernment's Imports, Exports and Prices Control .Board regulates prices of imported fi sh, as it docs those of many other commodities. 16 D8PARTME,\''I' OF TRADF: A.\'D ('0.ll.llBR('£. C.4.\':t!D. I (£1.079) and 65 ,340 pounds (£1,382). Very !'mall quantities of :m1oked salmon were impol' ted in any of these period;;, and in 194J there wcl'e no impol'tS. Canada dominates the pickled fish trade, but ~ewfoundland is a supplier of con!"iderablc quantities of pickled .salmon. for which the dcma.nd is fairly constant though not large. CANNJW FrsH Canned fi sh, comprising mainly salmon and snl'dine::, appreciable quantities of herring and pilchards and smallel' quantities of cod roes, crab meat, shl'imps, lobster and one Ol' two other varieties, l'epl'csents an old, wc'il-cslablished business in Jamaica. Pink and chum salmon and cheap ::al'dincs packed in oil are the largest sellers. · Imports of all kinds of ca.nned fi sh totalled l ,6 17,959 pound;; (£45,034) in the first eleven months of 1941, as against 983,291 pounds 1£25,133) in the calendar year 1940, l ,369,191 pounds ( £34,222) in 1939, and 1,608.697 pounds (£34,879) in 1938. FRESH F1sn Normally, imported fresh fish is a small luxury trade, but in n :;trict sense it has almost. ceased since the Jamaican Food Conll'ollel' in August last pl'o hibitcd the importation of fresh fish exceeding in rnluc l s. pet· pound c.i.f. Before that time fresh salmon, sole, halibut and cod were regularly brought in, for use lal'gely by hotels. A well-known Kingston fil'm owning and operating a refrigeration plant was prominent in this trade. Rincc the abo,·e-mentioned restriction became effective its pul'chac;es have been limi ted lo smoked and fille'ted haddock and kippered herl'ing, which arc not, strictly ~pea king, fresh fish but which appeal' lo be treated as 5:uch in lhc .Jamaican cm•toms returns. The:;e show that in the period Janual'y lo Ko,·cmber. 19-!1, inclusi\•e, imports of all kinds of fresh fi sh totalled 20,360 pounds (£589) as. against 15,527 pounds (£498) in lhc calendal' yeal' 1940, 26,018 pound::: (£725~ in 1939, and 2-2,048 pounds (£579) in 1938. This rbusiness docs not appear to offer any appreciable pos~ib ilitie~ fol' expansion. Up-to-date facilities for refrigeration arc ~omew hat limited in J amaica. FisH PaooccTs Before lhc outbreak of wa1· a large mcrchn.nt house handling fertilizers brought in cnch year from Britain about. 700 tons of fi sh manurC', but these imports ha\'C since rcascd. F ish meal, fol' making up stock and poultry feed, i::; impol'ted chiefly from Canada, in bags of about 200 pounds, lo the extent of se,·eral hundred bags per annum. This busines.:: is ::aid to be gl'owing, because more poultl'y is now bred than former!~·. and effiricnt :tnd up-to-date methods are followed to a greater extent. Cod liver oil in tin-lined iron drums holding 30 to 50 gallons has been corning in fl'Om Kewfoundland; shipments have also recently been l'Cceh·ecl from Canada. Some retail rlruggisb bottle rod livcl' oil under I hcil' own brand::;, but they al:-.o retail any desired quantity to a purchase!' bl'inging hi:: C'Onta.iner. Bottled rod liver oil in 4-ounrt', 8-ouncc, nnd 16-ounce sizes, packed by well-known pharmaceuticnl manufflclt11·ers, is likewise on the mmket. 'A lal'ge user of bulk supplies is lhe IGng George V Jubilee 1\Icmorial Tuberculosis Hospital, whicl1 is owned ancl opel'ated by the .Jamaica Go,·crument. Anli-tuberculosis and olhcl' public hen.Ith work has inrreased the demand fol' surh oil, of which a few hundl'cd drums al'e now impol'ted annually. It is rons}dered likcl~' that this business will gradually illC'l'Case. Small quantil1ies or r011"enl rated halibut liver oil put up in sma.!I bollle:;, for feeding infants and C'hild.l'en, arc sold. ~ FISH MARKETS IN THE B.W.T. AND LA7'1N AMERICA 19 of canned, pickled and smoked fish moved in the opposite direction, although in less degree. In 1941 they rose about 30 per cent above the average figure selected for purposes of comparison, and it is apparent, therefore, that the shortage of codfish has to some extent 1·esulted in a larger consumption of canned, pickled and smoked varieties, all of which are popular articles of diet, and which are supplied mostly from Canada. Figures for imported fres·h fish, which is a luxmy article and therefore in very limited use in Jamaica, are irrelevant to the comparison cited. Several reasons have been given for the a:bI?ormally low consumption of ~od in 1941 as compared with that of .preceding years, and it has ·been suggested that imports of pickled pork, pickled beef and canned meats, which are the kinds in general use, may have 1had some bearing on the matter; but, as the total INCREASED CONSUMPTION OF BANANAS The increased local consumption of bananas has resulted from the suspension by the United I The following are the maximum prices fixed by the Board, ruling as at the date of t.his report:- Wholesale Retnil Per 200-lb. Cask Per Lb. .Alewives, pickled ...... £3 8s. 6d. 5!d. }.fockerel, pickled ...... £4 Gs. 6~d. Herring, pickled ...... £3 Os. Gd . 5!,d. Salmon, pickled ...... £7 5s. IOjd. Cod, dried, saltcd- Per 448-lb. Cnsk ~o . 1 grade, lnrge •a.nd medium sizes ...... • ..... £15 Is. O!d. No. 1 grade, sma. II ...... No. 2 grade, large ...... ·1. tu l2s. 9d. Xo. 2 grade, medium ...... Xo. 2 grade, Rmall ...... No. 3 grade, large ...... £14 3s. 8111. No. 3 grade, medium ...... No. 3 grade, small ...... !13 15s. 8~d . Salmon, salted, dry or smoked ...... !Oct. Herring, smoke FISH MARKETS IN THR JJ.11'.I. AND LATIN AMERI CA 21 LATIN AMERICAN MARKETS CUBA c. S. BISSETT, CANADIAN TRADE COMMISSIONER Havana, :March 15, 1942.-Previous repor ts on the market in Cuba for fish have dealt almost exclusively with dried codfish, the only item in which Canada has ever obtained any appreciable share of the imports. The current report, besides bringing up-to-date the codfish situation, will review the basic conditions affecting the importation of all types of fish and shellfish, dried, smoked, pickled, fresh, frozen, and canned or otherwise preserved. Information with respect to certain basic factors and general principles, such as ports of entry, distribution centres, routing of shipments, representation and customs tariff treatment, which affect all import categories, is available in the pamphlet entitled "Points for Exporters to Cuba", copies of which will be supplied to interested Canadian exporters on application to the Department of Trade ·and Commerce, Ottawa. EFFECT OF CUSTOMS TARIFF In appraising the trend of fish sales to Cuba over the period of years herein reviewed, the influence exercised on sales in that period by varying tariff treatment, as well as by the economic situation, must be kept in mind if a proper understanding is to be obtained of t he marked variations in the sales of particular items from year to year. VVhereas the annual sales by all of Cuba's prinC'ipal suppliers of fish were affected more or less in the same ratio by prevailing economic and political conditions in the several years under review, only Canada was affected adversely, in any appreciable degree, by varying tariff treatment.. An explnnation of the nature of the Cuban tariff is given in the above-mentioned pmnphlet. Certain peculiarities in the statistical recording of the imports of the various types of dried fish are directly traceable to the fact that the tariff rates in recent years did not remain constant, the ra.te fo r codfish always excepted, but changed periodically in accordance with the workings of Cuban Law 14, explained under the heading "Customs Tariff" in t.he pamphlet "Points fo r Exporters to Cuba". Law 14, which went into force in iVIarch, 1935, automatically allotted rates of duty to all countries, treaty countries excepted, in accordance with the ratio of purchases from nnd sales to Cuba.. Also excepted were certain "articles of prime necessity", of which "bacalao" (ch iefly ·cod·fish but including pollock also) was one, and wh ich, whatever their 01,gin, \.Vere to be assessed under the rates oi the m inimum (now called general) tariff column. Accordingly through out this whole period codfish has been constantly accorded the lowest du.ty rate (the United States having a 25 per cent preferential discount therefrom), whereas the rates on the remaining types of dried salt fish such as haddock, hake and cusk, a ll smoked and pickled and all canned or otherwise preserved fish have varied from year to year. The fa.ct that there are appreciable differences between the basic duty rates applicable to codfish, haddock and hake, for example-, tended in the higher-duty years to encourage misdescription on customs entry and clearance fol'ms in order to secure the entry of sh ipments at the lower duty rates. Important statistical 1ncreases occurred in low-duty years in types of fish can ying the lower rates and conversely in the "bacalao" item in high-duty years. Since Law 14 went into force in 193·5 the tariff allotted to Canada was as follows for the periods mentioned: March,' 1935, to March, 1936, general tariff; April, 1936, to March, 1938, ma.ximum tariff; April, 1938, to March, 1939, general tariff; April, 1939, to Mal'ch, 1940, general tariff plus 25 per cent ; April, 1940, to March, 1942, general tariff. The ra.tes of the maximum tariff co lumn are double those of the general tariff column. or the other chief suppliers of fish in all categories, no tariff change which n.ffectecl its fish trade was. experienced at any time by the 56902- 4 20 DEPARTMENT Ofi' TRADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA DoMES'l'lC Foon PRooucnoN In 193'6 local public health authorities launched n. campaign lo increase the output. and the use of vegetable and Oesh foods produced in Jamaica. This was done in connection with Lhe annual obscr\'ance of British Empire H ealth Week, during which sp<'akcrs at public meelings asserted that many kinrls of imported foods, inrluding fi sh, were deficient in nutriti\·e Yalue and that homc gro"·n foods were better. ::\Iuch in like strain was subsequently written from time to time in mni-official publications uncl in the press. In 1937 it wa~ repeated in the interim report of a local Committee on Xutrition, appointed by the Jamaica Gove1 nm ent at lhe request of the Secretary of :::Jtate for the Colonies; this report was gi\'cn wide publicity and arousrd a certaiin amount of public interest. After the disturbances that orcu 1TNI during Lhe summc1· of 1938 the ,Jamaica Government greatly extended its long-standing program of selling land!' on easy terms to peasants, who were encouraged and fin ancially as;:islccl to grow fruits and vegelA,bles and to breed small stock. Shortly after the outbreak of \\·ar the Government launchC"d n Food Pro duction Campaign as a safeguard against an anlicipated shortage of imported food supplies. Planters, large and small, were lll'gecl lo grow more food, especially corn, pens and potatoes; they were financed from public funds and gi\'en attrac tive guaranteed 1wires for their erop;:, and in ronscquenre the output not only of the:::e three articles, but. aim that of a wide range of vegetables. has appreriably risen. The Government Marketing Department operates a cornmeal mill, whieh is the sole supplier of the local demand for thi~ JoodstuIT (ground from locally grown maize); n l ~o n small experimental bacon-curing unit. There is anolher such unit, privately operated. While it may noL be possible to assign any single, definite rc:Mm for the great.Jy reduced imports of codfish into .Jamaica during 1941 , it i" evident that there were several contributing factors, especially increased ron::umption of bananas and other locally produced foodstuffs. The umLSually high price of codfish and the alleged shortage of supplies probably \\·ere among tho::c factors. Also the increased circulation of money among the ma-:ses of the people, resulting from the carrying ouL of some large conslrnC'tion proje FISH MARKETS IN 'J'l-IE B.11'.l. AND LA'l'IN AMERICA 23 agriculture which has taken place on a. small scale and the development of the mining industry. The value of the sugar crop in 1933 was only some $4G millions as against almost $267 millions in 1927 and $117 millions in 1937. There was a similar trend in respect to the fonnage of sugar produced and the average sugar price. The latter reached its lowest point in 1932, when it averaged· for the year only 71 cents per 100 pounds. This was the lowest average annual price as far back a& statistics are available, viz. : 1885. F rom ,the low point in 193·2-3•3 a gradual economic improvement occurred until 19371 at which time a further recession took place that. lasted until the end of 1940. The outbreak of the war in 1939 had• a temporarily depressing effect that continued until Che first few months of 1941. It was only when it became apparent that a sugar shortage in the United States was impending, because of the inability of distant countries to move their sugar to the United States market, that a revivification of Cuban economy took place. The official sugar crop for 1941 was the lowest, that for 19-33 excepted, since 1912. In. spite of this, however, the United States demand for sugar made it possible to dispose of the whole of this crop plus all accumulated sugar reserves and, in addition, large amoun.ts of syrups. The big factor in the recovery of this industry in 1941 was, nevertheless, the greatly improved price at which the crop was sold. W·hereas a few months previous to this sa.les contract sugar had ·been sold ·at prices as low as 70 cents per 100 pounds f.o.b. Cu'ban ports, the contract price was finally set at $2.65 on the same .basis. T:he result was that economic conditions in Cuba improved immeasurably in the latter part of . 1941, and there is every indication that this improvement will continue for at least the duration of the war. Heretofore fish import.s have depended to a large e::-..i.ent, as in f.act have all imports, on whether the sugar industry was or was not in a healthy condition. The prospect in this respect for 1942 would seem to be very favourable. However, a highly unfavourable factor which makes an increase in fish sal·es very doubtful is the heavy increase during the past nine months in the prices of fish of all kinds, particularly dried and smoked fish . DnIEn, SALTED, SMOKED, PrcKLED AND FRESH F1sH A general pictW'e of the import trn.de in dried•, salted, smoked, pickled and fresh fish is given in the following table covering the years 193\3 to 1941, including the revolutionary period and the war years up to the present:- Cuba,n Imports of Dried, Sa.lted, Smoked, Pickled a.nd Fresh Fish 1933 1934 1935 1036 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 Codfish, stockfish nnd pollock. dried, snl t cd .J\g. 4.490.413 4,67-1,649 7.021,789 6,861 ,802 8.072,093 7,912,356 6,982,529 5,380,016 2,828,610 s 411.888 585,123 840.622 732.705 929,965 938,485 753,024 637,440 530 .870 Snrdines, dried 1ind pressed ...... I Totnl weight .... lC(!. 5,134 .122 6,381.282 9,450,935 9,692,220 9,213,109 9,125,285 7,917 ,751 6,087,2.~2 3,363,811 Toto! \'Olue ..... $ 490.091 727,&2 1,022/1~ I 978,808 1,063.027 1,087,209 883,371 764,688 652,228 56062~! 22 DEPARTMEN'l' OF TRADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA United States, the United K ingdom, Spain, France, Iceland, and Newfoundland. Norway was on a maximum tariff basis from April, 193•5, to February, 1937, which adversely affected its bloater trade. The canned fish trade of Portugal and Italy also suffered for the same reason over varying periods since Law 14 went into force. In addHion to the rates now in force, which will be specified later in dis cussing individual fish products, a su1,tax of 20 per cent of the basic customs duty and of all other taxes applicable to imported goods from all countries had been levied in Cuba since September, 1941. H owever, certain fish products of United States origin are by treaty exempt from this sw'tax: These are pickled mackerel, fresh and dried oysters, and shellfish; canned or otherwise preserved sardines with bones, salmon, oysters and fish and shellfish not specifically classified elsewhere. PREVIOUS REPORTS Several reports on the dried fish trade of Cuba have been published in the Commercial Intelligence Joumal in recent years. These contain valuable information on the basic factors affecting the fish trade of this country. They should be read in con.junction with this report, as the information they contain will not be repeated here. T hese reports, with the dates of publication in the Journal, are as follows : Cuban Market for Dried and Salted Fish (May 25, 1935); Market for Codfish in Cuba (April 4, 1936); Market for Dry Salt Cod in Cuba (September 2-8, 1940). In addition there have also been pu•blished in the Jow·nal at monthly intervals since March, 1941, reports on market conditions or the current situa tion in the dried-fish t rade. An extensive report entitled "Reports on Markets for Dried and Pickled Fish", prepared by Messrs. 0. F. Mackenzie and F. H. Zwicker, was published in 1938 by the Ministry of Fisheries, Ottawa. POLITICO-ECONOMIC TREND IN RECENT YEARS T he political and economic situations prev.ailing in Cu1oa during the past ten or t welve years, because of their marked effect on the purchasing power of the people, greatly influenced the sale of fish of all kinds. Of these the most important economjc factor was the annual value of the ,sugar crop, and the most important political . factor was the 1933 revolution, with its related disttwbances in the years both preceding and succeeding it. In recent years the high point of the gra:p h lines or curves of tho main factors influencing Cuban economy was located in 1927. From that year onwards these curves show a continuous and very rapid fall until the low point in 1933 was reached. Tbjs point coincides with the revolution which broke out in August of that year, but which was preceded by two revolutionary attempts from 1930 onwards. It is significant that what was little less than an economic debacle started some two years before t he 1929 depression first struck the rest of the world. H owever, the rapidity of the downward skid was considerably accelerated after 1929, and there is little dou•bt that the ensuing political disturbances were the result of this economic dislocation. The violence of this is illustrated by a few figures. T otal Cuban exports in 1933 were valued• at only some $84 millions as compared to $324 millions in 1927 and $186 millions in 1937, which was the best year experienced in Cuba since 1930. Total imports similarly were only some $42 ·mill ions as against $257 millions and $129 millions in 1927 and 1937 respectively. The 1933 · imports were the lowest in value since before Cuba became an independent republic previous to 1900, and the exports the lowest ~ince 1903, with the exception of 1932 when they were only some $80 million~. As is well known, Cuba's purchasing power depends on its sugar crop. I n thjs period the curve of the value of the sugar crop has a remarkable affinity fbr the import curve. This has continued almost up to the pr<>sent year despite the diversification of ~ FISH JIARJ\ETS IN 'l'llE 8.11'.I. AND LATIN AMERICA 25 The following table shows bhe quantities, values and origins of the "bacalao" imported into thh country during the years 1933 to 1941 :- Cuban Imports of Dried Salt Codfish, Stock F-ish and Pollock 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 19H Cnnad11 ...... Kg. 1,180.989 1,S3 1,414 2.30U02 2,248.846 1,946,136 1,698,336 1,589,142 l,338,2M 2,036,953 $ 101 ,143 208.553 285,095 219,00 248.044 208,56 1 167,653 166,241 381,297 Newfoundlond ...... Kg...... 408,625 638,819 1,189,321 978,608 1,269,719 482,878 S ...... • .. • • . .. .. 36,133 74.639 128,241 96,340 143,CH 78.121> lcelnnd ...... Kg...... 330.075 1,375,180 1,161,440 901,113 987,900 166,757 $ 36,341 141,861 128,332 93,681 98,219 35,439 Denmnrk .. • . .. .. Kg. 3,514 9,483 125,033 447,780 2,279 ...... 1,980 ...... 782: $ 724 3,001 17,372 ...711 100 ...... 253 ...... 09 Non,•oy ...... Kg. 3,071,428 2.740,170 4,260,159 3,122 ,084 2,031,519 2,014,552 2,546,145 1.004.564 $ 286,374 327,614 405.322 362,085 856,764 336,910 300,240 116,958 ...... United SIAtes ...... l PJSI/ MARJ(ETS JN 7'HE B.lV.l. AND LA7'IN AJ\JERICA 27 Cuban lni7Jorts of Sardines, Dried cind Pressed 1933 1034 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 Portugal ...... Kg...... 2,755 12,502 15.134 36,785 16,619 11.331 4,154 8,5S9 $ ...... 475 2.061 1,709 4,ll07 1,921 1,147 712 1,454 United S1nte• ...... Kg...... 4,694 019 74 U6 2. 19~ s ...... 566 .',.j5 20 50 263 Cnnndn ...... T HADDOCK, }!ULLET AND SKATE The Cuban trade in these ty.pes of fish is small and unimportant. The following table gives the import figures by sources of supply for the years 1933 to 1941 inclusive:- Cuban Imports of Dried, Saltecl Haddock, Mullet and Skate 1933 1034 U35 1936 1037 1938 ln30 1940 19"1 Cnnndn ...... J{g...... 17,95'1 77,222 04,543 ~ .73 7 ...... 1,485 ...... 31,433 $ J,010 7,MI 5,712 680 ...... 105 5,281 United States •..... Kg...... ······ 2,412 11.255 372,389 ...... ·a:49:i $ 283 1,250 21 ,340 9H United Kini:dom .... I and the sharp increase in the price olicred1 for codfish, plus the tariff preference, have made it profitable for some United States firms, some of thom branches of Canadian firms, to enter the trade. This tendency is likely to continue for at least the duration of the war. 'Dhe United States re-exports in 1941 originated mainly in Iceland and, to 1a smaller extent, in Norway and Canada. Because of shipping difficulties bhey were warehoused in New York and re-routed to this country. The only other supplier of note is the United Kingdom, but that country's share of the trade, because of the curtailment of fishing in the North Sea and adjacent waters and the Jack of shipping space for cheap bulk cargoes, has almost disappeared. An important part of the United Kingdom's exports was boneless codfish. The present outlook is that Canada will continue to supply the bulk of the currently restricted demand in both the Havana and Santiago markets for the duration of the war, with smalJer amounts coming from. Newfoundland and the United States. Even at the present high price level, .Cuba would take more codfish, cured according to Havana taste, than Canada is likely to have available from the next catch. Pollock is not widely known in Cuba, and very little of it is sold. However, a brisk demand could be worked up if it were available at a price advantage under codfish of some 20 to 25 per oeent. The same applies to the other dried salt types such as haddock, hake and cusk. The present customs duties and sure'barges 'Payable on the type of fish classed as bacalao arc as follows, per 100 kilograms (220 pounds) gross: maximum tariff, Sll; general tariff, $5.50; rate to the United States, $4·125; weight reduction for tare in cases or 1barrels is 10 per cent and in sacks, bales or bundles it is 2 per cent; a geneml surcharge of 20 per cent of all duties, surtaxes and obher import charges is applicab.Jc to all countries. Consular invoice fees on all Canadian goods ·are 2 per cent ad va'lorem. SARDINES, DRIED AND PRESSED This is a Spanish or Portuguese type of fish supplied mainly by these two countries. It is ·actually a dried herring or .pilchard -prepared in accordance with Mediterranean taste, and the demand for it in Cuba is confined chiefly to Spanish nationals of recent arrival in Cuba who have been accustomed to con suming this kind of fish in their homeland. It is packed in salt in small casks or half-barrels weighing some 10 kilograms, the n sh being ananged with the tails pointing to the centre of the container. The following table shows the quantities, values and origins of imports of this type cH fisih into Cuba during the years 19'3·3 to 1941 :- -; ~ FISH ·MARKETS IN THE B.WJ. AND LATIN AMERICA 29 These sales were attributaible mainly to the scarcity of codfish in this market. There is no doubt that hake sales could 1be considcrrubly increased under present conditions of scarcity and high price of codfish if supplies were available at a price some 25 per cent below that of codfish. The imports under this heading from Iceland and Norway are invoiced as merluce, a ty,pe very similar to Canadian hake. Early in the present year a small tonnage of merluce and merlucc tails was imported from Iceland into I-favana. The present customs duties and surcharges payable on fish classified under this heading arc as follows per 100 kilograms gross: maximum tariff, $8; general tariff, 84; rate to the Unit.eel States, $3; weight reduction for tare when in cases 01· barrels is 10 per cent and in sacks, bales or bundles 2 per cent; a general surcharge of 20 per cent of all duties, surtaxes and other import charges is paya'blc on imports from all countries. OTHER DRIED, SALTED FJSH, N.E.E. This miscellaneous item includes all types of dried salt fish not -previously mentioned and for which no separate statistics are recorded. The table below shows the imports under this heading for the years 1933 to 1941 inclusive:- C1tban Imports of Other Dried, Salted Fish, n.e.e. 1033 1934 103S 1936 1937 1938 1939 mo 1941 Jcelond ...... Kg...... 6,430 136,961 63,048 144,561 89,024 $ 698 14 ,762 0,486 13.134 14,517 United Slntcs ...... Kg. 2,249 2,565 11 ,034 P,467 9.949 9,591 20.003 6,611 43.432 s •115 859 3,001 2,184 2,080 2,474 1,529 1,652 9,240 United Stntes• ...... Kg...... 325 4,610 298 $ ...... ······..... 77 572 71 Canada ...... Kg. 801 42 ,144 6.700 ...... 37,820 32,175 $ 8l 4.158 SG2 ...... ·· ···· 5,229 5,691 Nonvay ...... Kg. 137 10,729 40,S59 ...... 3,474 10 650 94'.638 29.Z89 s 88 1,390 4,316 399 1,458 10,968 3.504 United J(ingdom .... Kg. 7.086 ...... 2,388 13.434 42.467 44.150 23,509 $ 016 212 1,262 4,380 4,605 3,140 Chinn ...... Kg. 2,108 6.859 9,392 12,294 7,955 2,062 805 ...... 821 $ 493 J,211 2.541 J,333 1.028 467 208 30 Hongkong ...... J The imports of skate are negligible, the small quantity whirh docs come in being for the Chinese Lradc. Haddock is not a popular fish in this country, and consumption is small in comparison with that of codfish. The latter is the standard dried salt, fish by which all others are judged throughout the island, and no other type is considered to be ils equivalent in food value. Accordingly it is seldom that haddock, hake and similar type:, can command the price which they bring in other markets or which they merit 'because of their food value. This undeserved opinion of haddock and the consequent price disadvantage under which it labours is due chiefly to a. misunderstanding with respect to its food value and to its appearance rathei· than to any actual inferiority. Were supplies of haddock available, the present would provide an excellent opportunity to introduce this fish more widely and to incret\Se its populnrity to Lhc point where it \\'Ould be much more acceptable in the future and would HAKE Hake also is not a popular fish in Cuba. The same comments as those made above in respect to ·haddock apply generally to this fish. The following table shows the imports during the years 1933 to 1941 inclusive:- ' Cttbcin Imports of Dried, Scilte ln33 1934 1035 1930 !037 1938 1~30 1040 ID41 Ctmncln . . . . . • . . . . Hg. 1,002 108,864 64,140 38,128 14.173 ...... 2 340 2.300 0 ,37!t s 130 10,540 5,1~3 3,332 1.400 ...... WO 32.S U48 lcelnncl •...... )(g. ······ ...... ······ ······ ...... 18.SiO 8.345 20.62Z s ······ ...... ······ ...... ··.···· 1,400 1.384 3,337 Unit eel Stnles .....• Hg. 407 439 11 ,012 1,601 684 1.102 26 20.63.1 463 s 75 210 1.667 143 202 237 7 4,212 12S Norwuy ...... •.Hg...... 12.085 0,425 2,430 2,225 ...... 21.340 s ···· ·· 1.248 851 273 279 ······ ...... 2.705 Unit«I l(ing FISH MARKETS IN THE B.W.1. AND LATIN AMERICA 31 At one time Canada was the pl'incipal source of supply for bloaters but was displaced many years ago by Norway, which standardized the pack, size and quality and smoked the fish to a higher condition of dryness. All of these factors were especially acceptable to the Cuban trade, and Norwegian packers eventually obtained almost complete control of the market. A favourite test of dryness locally is that the flesh underneath the gills be thoroughly dry. Packing for this market is in boxes of 18t pounds each. The Havana market takes the higher quality in the larger size of from 40 to 60 per box. For the interior the smaller size of 60 to 70 per box is salaible, although this size is not in ordinary times in demand in Havana. Generally speaking the great rbulk of the Canadian •bloater supply is in the smaller sizes, which .practically excludes them from the Havana market and forces them to be sold in the interior at a substantial price reduction under the Norwegian. H owever, under present con ditions of scarcity tihese preferences mean little, and when bloater supplies are again available in Canada it is certain that a ll quantities which could be allotted to the Cuban market would find a ready sale. The largest consumption of bloaters is in the eastern end of the island, which centres on Santiago de Cuba. In this country there is no trade of any consequence in kippers. The lightness of bhe smoking and the long time in transit combine to prevent the arrival of this type of fish in good condition, except where shipment is made under refrigeration. The greatly increased cost of this method of shipment, combined with the almost complete lack of any demand or any taste for this type of fish, makes its sale very difficult. The extremely small demand which does exist is confined to one high-class retail grocer who deals in food specialties and caters to the foreign element. There is a small trade in a heavily smoke-dried and salted hening or pilchard fill et that comes from Spain packed in ·boxes of a:bout 50 pounds each. This also is only a specialty trade of negligible importance. M aine also supplies a moderate quantity of more lightly smoked kipper fillets, in boxes, which arc increasing in popularity. Chief among the pickled types are those mentioned above, in which the trade is also small. There seems to be no demand for or any particular knowledge of alewives in Cuba. There are, however, unimportant imports of herring in brine, and it may be that some trade · could be done in this type of fish, especially under present conditions of sca1·city of all types. The customs duties and other charges on this class of fish are as follows, per 100 kilograms gross: maximum tariff, $2.60; general tariff, $1.30; rate to the United States, $0 · 975; weight reduction for tare when in cases or 1barrels is 10 per cent and in sacks, bales or 1bundles 2 per cent; a general surcharge of 20 per cent of duties, surtaxes and other jmport charges is payable on imports from all countries. l\1ACXEREL1 IN BRINE OR SALTED The trade in this type of fish has been very unimportant in recent years, as is illustrated •by t;he following taJble of imports during the years 1933 to 1941 inclusive:- Cttban bnports of M ackerei, in Brine, Pickled 01· Salted 1033 1934 1m 1936 1937 1938 1039 19t0 1911 United Stnll".I ...... J(g. 603 77 II .$SO 717 12,195 • ,299 1 .2~ 778 91 $ 53 10 1,624 165 1,977 613 133 121 31 Cnnodo ...... Kg. 304 785 1,712 1,665 1,782 s 42 93 160 125 137 ...... Hongkong ...... J(g. "'8ii s 162 Spain ...... Kg. 32 ...... 1,656 $ 7 361 China ...... Kg. .... 393 $ 871 J apan...... Kg. 880 $ 82 France ...... J{g. 4 ...... s I ...... ······...... ------Totnl weight .... l The same duties and other surcharges as are outlined a:bove for hake are applicaiblc also to this miscellaneous classif1'cation. HERRING, SMOKED, SALTED, IN BRINE OR PICKLED The heuing trade in Cuba is of minor importance as compared to that in codfish. The following table shows the imports dm·ing t he years 1933 to 1941, inclusive, of all of the various cures in which tihjg fish is used:- Cuban Imports of Herring, Smoked, Salted in Brine or PickLed 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 (933 1939 1940 190 Norway ...... Kg. 407.891 1,141,737 1.1&,703 1 ,086.~0 728,ua 631,675 352.057 76,770 $ 17,542 54,027 65,672 51,720 37,931 34,204 17,829 4,806 United Stnlcs ...... Kg. 10,043 24,345 34,201 28,840 28,235 36,373 27,3H 33,m 68.. 362 $ 2,793 3,866 6,282 6,675 4,02•1 6,404 4,900 6,473 12,335 United Stntcs•...... Kg...... 3,220 1,555 4,950 $ ...... 649 319 777 Cenade ...... Kg. 9,857 33,104 11 ,678 2,953 ·•-.so2 ...... 1,076 24,118 39,010 $ 689 1,794 1.419 179 243 292 J,819 3,810 Germeny ...... Kg. 2,700 10,899 5,S~ ...... 5,184 $ 182 500 249 273 United ICingdom.. ..Kg...... 175 601 3,331 7,040 ...... 120 $ IS 135 175 639 ...... 28 Hongkong ...... Kg...... ······ ...... 90 $ ...... 20 Sweden ... , ...... Kg. "2",232 1,134 ...... 83 s 91 58 ...... 10 China ....•...... Kg. 1,332 77 ······ ······ $ 3~ 5 Spain ...•...... Kg . 1,3$0 $ 61 Denmark ...... Kg. 5& ········ ...... s 50 ········ ...... ------Tot.nl weight .. .. Kg. 444 ,090 1,211 ,471 1,237,70! 1,121,474 768,95 1 673,232 383,820 136.337 11 2,328 Total vnluo ...... $ 21,743 60.268 63,657 57,749 43 ,737 40,881 23,700 13,445 16,922 • Import figures for yen rs prior to 1039 inrludo re-exports; for 1939 and following )"en rs re-exports nre shown separately. The principal article included in this composite table is smoked herring. Canada in recent years has obtained only a minor portion of this trade. Inci dentally all of the impo1ts from Canada shown in the foregoing table are smoked herring or 1bloaters, as none of the other types of cures of t his fish have been shipped direct from Canada to this country, although it is likely lhat a portion of the United States re-exports were originally Canadian. Norway, up to the time when it was invaded, was Cuba's principal supplier of e.11 types of herring, and bloaters accounted for much the greater part of the Norwegian trade. In recent years, and particularly in 1941, the share of the United States has continued to increase. This trade also has 'been mainly in the form of b loaters supplied from the smokel"ies in Maine, which arc closely related to the Grand Manan industry. Germany's and Sweden's trade was wholly in pickled types, packed in barrels or casks, such as Bismarck and marinated herrings. T here is also a small trade in these pickled val"ieties from the United States, imported mainly for the Jewish and Polish foreign element in C\lba. The share of the United Kingdom is almost wholly special shipments of kippered herrings (refrigerated) for the high-class grocery trade. These imports are, however, spasmodic and small in value. The foregoing statistics illustrate an interesting development in Cuban la:bour relations. A substantial part of the labour employed in the Cuban cane fields was at one time obtained from Haiti. These labotu·ers brought with them their taste for bloaters, and this factor was the chief cause of the greater importance of the bloater trade in Cuba up to some five years ago. Frnm then on various restrictive labour measures of a nationalistic character were success ively put into force, one of which resulted in the repatriation in succeeding years of large num·bers of Haitian cane-field workers,. Many thousands were ultimately repatriated to H aiti. This movement is quite a;pparent from a study of t he volume imports of herring in the foregoing taibl,e. At p resent the chief consumers of bloaters are the .Jamaican cane-field workers. FISH MARKETS IN 'l'llE B.lr.l. A.VD LATIN A.l!EUICA 33 1933 103•1 1036 Jn36 In37 1038 1030 1940 19JJ Cnm1dn ...... Kg. 1.0SO 2,315 1,550 $ 22() 512 280 Nowfoundlnnd.. . . Kg. 1,155 610 $ I02 96 Ru~s in ...... Kg. 21 05 s 190 360 ltnly ...... l(g. 66 $ 14 Jopnn ...... Kg. 37 $ 5 Total weight ....Ki:. 74,109 124,605 184,608 139,361 148,165 162,883 167,771 167,821 102,137 Total vnluo ...... $ 45,873 38,762 61,036 54,450 58 ,416 60,809 58,7•!0 62,066 •19,454 • Jmpor~ figur~ for ycnrs prior to 1039 include re-exports; for 1939 nnd following yen"' re-exports 01 e •hown tt{\pnrntely. The bulk of the importation of these items is from the United States. Local trade circles state that at least 90 per cent of t he total imports arc dried shrimps. A moderately ·brisk business in this product is clone by the United States, the fi sh being packed in bales of 100 pounds or in bancls of 150 to 200 pounds. A small trade is also carried on, principally to meet the Oriental demand, in dried squid, although this product is also used to a limited extent ·by bhe local popu lation. Fresh blue-point and similar oysters, chiefly from the United States, help in a small wny to swell the imports. although the trade in this type of shellfish is very small, due to the abundance and excellence of the local Cuban oyster. There are no imports of either fresh or dried clams, as the domestic production of Cuban clams is sufficient to meet the demand. There is no evidence of any trade in such items as dried or fresh crab, mussels, winkles or similar shellfi sh. The customs duties and other charges on these types of shellfish are as fol lows. per 100 kilograms gross: maximum tariff, $10; general tariff, $5; rate to the United States, $4; Public Works tax, 10 per cent of the duty; weight reduction for tare, nil ; a general surcharge of 20 per cent of duties, surtaxes and other import charges is payrublc on imports from all countries except the United States. FnESII F:ISH Although the Cuban frer-;h fishing industTy uses entirely the antiquated methods of small boats and hand nets and lines, the production of fresh fi sh is sufficient to preclude any appreciable trade in any variety imported from outside the cou.ntry. No trawlers are used anywhere in Cuba, and the local price of fresh fish is consequently very high in comparison to what it might ·be if modern fir-;hing methods were employed. However, the lack of suffi cient commercial refrigeration makes it impossible for imported fresh fish to compete on a profitable basis with local fish. The imports shown in the following table are of types of fi sh not available in Cu.ban waters :- Cuban Imports of Fresh Fish 1933 1034 193) 1936 IG37 1938 l!t39 1940 1941 Unit.NI Stoles ...... Kg. 7Uj4 5.607 35."20 53.206 14.727 37 ,720 75,760 47,757 22,329 $ 3,735 H O 2 .~on 6.244 3,748 0,717 7,698 4,760 2.817 Portugnl ...... Kg...... 12,897 25, IM 23,2M 15,724 8,330 s 3.017 6,168 4,360 4,0SO 3,227 Spnin ...... Kg. 12.518 t7.670 19,129 2ii.448 2.932 ...... 2,783 •1 s 1,658 3.939 4.$69 3,322 605 ...... 502 7 United I SMOKED, SALTED OR PICKLED SALMON As indicated in bhe following table of imports, the trade in this type of salmon is negligiblc:- Cuban Imports of Smoked, Salted or Pickled Salmon 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 mo IOU United States ...... l ANCHOVI&S The trade in canned anchovies is small and comparatively unimportant, as shown ·by the following tables of imports during the years 1933 to 1941 inclusive:- Cuban Imports of Canned Anchovies 1933 1934 1035 1030 1937 1938 1939 mo 1941 SpRin •.....•..... l{g. 3,478 5,803 16,089 13,253 13,744 8,783 9,606 12,325 9,058 $ 1,334 3,713 7,61% 6,229 7,265 5,477 5,819 7,582 5,429 United StntM...••. Kg. 206 2,012 5,851 218 l ,247 5,765 74 517 69 $ 66 336 517 183 •182 796 89 354 84 United Stntea• ...... Kg...... 32 171 119 $ ···· ·· 61 121 96 France .. . • • . .. ..Kg. 41 102 42 05 017 54 20 78 s 106 105 3$ 40 6M 32 10 9 United Kingdom ....Kg. 84 ...... 31 26 12 27 ...... 14 6 s 35 13 16 0 17 16 3 Italy ...... Kg ...... 16 78 ...... 28 51 204 $ ······ 14 39 ...... 25 36 179 Portugal •••.•. .• ..Kg...... 22 1,939 1,993 $ ...... 15 917 924 Argent inn . . . . • . . .Kg...... 777 $ ...... ······ 698 R llS!!il\ ...... Kg...... 5 $ ...... ······...... 7 Totnl weight ....Kg. 3,809 7,993 22 ,091 13,562 15,020 14,669 11 ,627 15,303 10,029 Totnl value ...... $ 1,531 4,168 8,216 5,477 8,317 6,362 6,939 9,185 6,310 • Import figures for yen rs prior to 1939 include re-exports ; for 1930 nnd followin11 years re-exports krn shown sepnrntely. As this fish is native to Mediterranean and adjacent waters, it is natural that the great 'bulk of the trade should be in the hands of exporters in Spain and Portugal. T he .product, rolled or in the form of fillets, is imported in varying sizes of tins and glass containers. The customs duties and other charges on this type of fish are as follows, per kilogram gross: maximum tariff, S0.60; general tariff, $0.30; rate to the United States, $0.225; Public Works tax, 10 per cent of the duty; weight reduction for tare when in cases and all other containers, 15 per cent; a general surcharge of 20 per cent of all duties, surtaxes and other import charges is applica:ble to imports from all countries. 'l'UNNY FISII 11 A moderately important trade is carried on in "'bonito" and "atun , which are very similar in type to the tunny fish caught in the Cari1b'bean and adjacent waters. The following table shows the imports of both of these types of fish for the years 1933 to 1941 inclusive:- Cuban Imports of Canned Tunny Fish 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 19ll Spl\in ...... Kg. 51 ,123 92,685 1S3,o66 166,210 70,190 77 ,S39 23,943 824 4,866 $ 10,752 26,523 47,778 47,345 28,392 39,800 15,097 480 8,736 United States ...... Kg. 57 37 4,01$ 4,815 2,339 U22 1,155 4,424 4,813 $ 30 31 489 1,223 1,042 1,S33 691 1,641 3,144 United States• •••••.Rg...... 19 ...... 3 $ ...... 12 ...... 3 Portugnl ...... Kg...... 91,339 97,220 1,190 $ ······ 28,024 34,656 537 Fn1nco ...... Kg. "'"'i2 25 2' 107 723 14,084 9,929 $ 14 27 21 60 296 4,735 2,456 French Morocco . . • . Kg...... 28,127 8,510 $ ...... 8,966 1,468 United Kingdom ....Kg...... 6 l ,Ol? ...... 9 $ ...... ·····..... · 3 600 ...... 3 M11xico ...... Kg...... 2,IZ7 $ ······ ...... ······ ...... ···· ·· ...... 780 34 DEPAR'l'MENT OP 'l'RADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA The imports from the United States are mainly of fresh red salmon, the sale of which is confined almost wholly to one or two high-class hotels during the tourist season. The high retail cost of this fish makes it impossible to widen sales to the general public except in a few cases. There is likewise a very limited sale of fresh scallops and of fresh caviar, which is also for the hotel trade a lmost exclusively. The Spanish and Portuguese share of the trade is mainly in "bonito" or "at(m", which are similar to tuna or tunny fish. There are no customs duties or other taxes payable on fresh fish entering ~~. ' F1sH IN CANS AND SnnLAR CONTAINERS A general idea of Cuba's import trade in fish of all kinds packed in cans, glass, earthenware and similar hermetically sealed containers is provided by the following table showing volumes and values of the various ty.pes imported during the years 1933 to 1941 inclusive:- Cuban Imports of Fish in Cans and Similar Containers 1033 1034 1935 1038 1937 1038 1939 1040 1041 Ancho"iC.'I ...... Kg. 3.809 7,093 22,001 13,502 15,920 U,069 11,627 15,303 10 ,029 $ 1.531 4.168 8,216 5,477 8,317 6,362 6,930 0,185 0,310 Tunny fish ...... J{:. 63,614 117,4.83 m.os2 171,138 83,290 128,328 132,900 102,514 12,999 $ 11,359 26,%5 48,493 48,63 1 30,230 55,059 47,695 36,801 8.200 Squid, unstuffed • • • .Kg. 66,066 105.671 140,440 198,200 120,703 82,167 221,254 181.616 128 ,326 $ 10,058 25,<139 34 ,577 45,205 M.754 20,244 51,015 45,332 22 ,820 Squid, stuffed ...... Kg. 1,526 12.752 11,164 11,170 18,620 5,183 0,431 29,495 18,814 s 546 4,204 3,706 4.713 8,604 2,949 5.7b2 13 ,006 5,582 Sardines, with bones ..Kg. 1,058,209 2,087.915 3,50U73 3.031.370 3,054.!IH 2.$58,706 2,051.172 :,077,174 2,908,595 s 115,673 314.709 434.848 350,158 373,726 344.659 285.568 277,339 383,014 Snrdines, filleted •• , .Kg. 0,204 16,605 31,456 26,041 80,764 12,718 3,015 15,107 0,394 s l ,056 3.2.'iO 6.311 3,480 14,'173 2,804 1,106 4,648 2,202 Salmon ...... Kg. 23,684 37,551 24,352 17.140 51,288 58,711 17,923 15,203 25,467 $ 2,695 6,243 4,157 3.503 7,691 9,828 3,741 4.598 8,542 Oysters .. • ...... Kg. 4,099 245 13,607 1,933 411 75 141 1.404 19 $ 422 85 1,852 477 170 27 140 408 5 Other cnnncd fi sh •...I 1933 1934 1~35 1936 1937 1938 1939 19'10 1941 Spnin ...... Kg. 1,508 12,752 l l,164 10,903 18,620 5,183 5,165 4,437 6,789 $ 642 4,204 3.706 4,563 8,694 2,949 3,058 2,283 3,859 United States . . . . T Cuban Imports of Carinecl Unstuffed Squid 1933 1934 l!l35 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1041 United Stnte11 ...... R g. 12 1,114 16.090 20,950 2,982 21',093 6,844 29.436 109,221 s 3 216 2.968 3,812 555 3,716 1,303 2,294 15,925 Spain ...... l STUFFED SQUID Until recently the trade in stuffed squid was also entirely from Spain and Portugal. This is another Spanish taste that has been bi:~ught to Cuba. It is a delicacy the consumption of which is not widespread due to its comparatively high cost. In 1941 California also made a bid for this -small trade, which had begun to fall off because of conditions in Europe and the consequent shipping F'ISH MARKETS IN THE B.W.l. AND LATIN AMERICA 39 consequence, as shown by the following table of imports during the years 1933 to 1941 inclusive:- Cuban Imports of Canned Filleted Sardines 1033 1934 1005 1036 1937 1038 · 1939 19~0 19H Spnin ...... Kg. 8,703 12,849 11.572 14,931 21,388 5,145 1,605 4,078 456 s 1,624 2,985 3,487 2,405 5,197 1,531 454 1,496 168 United Stntes ...... Kg. 7 2,719 16.856 10,967 34 ,508 7,212 285 3,562 8,385 s 3 253 l,417 951 4,502 1,0H 129 712 1,970 United Stntes•...... Kg...... 20 331 26 $ ...... 24 133 26 France ...... I 1933 1934 mas 1936 1937 1938 rnao 19·10 l~H United States ...... Kg. 18,714 32,243 18.738 17,140 51.229 58.659 17.878 14,086 24,842 s 2,199 4,870 3,431 3,503 7,650 9,796 3,692 4,494 8,3 12 United S!Jltes•...... Kg...... 28 274 805 $ ...... 40 101 200 Jnpnn ...... l FILLETED SARDINES A special classification is given in the trade return.s to sardines from which the tbones have been removed, although the trade in this item is of very little FTSH MARKETS IN THE B.TV.l. AND LATIN A 1\!IERIC11 41 Cuban Imports of Canned Oysters 1933 193• 1P35 1936 1937 1938 1939 1040 1941 United Stntes ...... Kg. 1,569 ...... 10,038 1,933 41 1 75 131 l ,404 19 s 177 ...... 1,041 477 179 27 39 408 5 United States• ...... Kg...... 10 s ...... ······..... IOI Spain ...... Kg. 2,530 245 3,569 s 245 85 811 ------Total weight ....J{g. 4,090 245 U,607 1,933 411 75 141 1,404 19 'l'otnl vnlue . . • • . . S 422 85 1,852 477 179 27 140 408 5 "Import figures for yen rs prior to 1939 include re-exports; for 1939 nnd following years re-exports ore shown separntely. In recent. years the United States has supplied the whole of the meagre quantities brought into this country. Because of the excellent shipping facilities between the United States and Cuba in normal times, the t.rade in fresh oysters is unlikely to permit of any noteworthy expansion in the canned oyster t.rade. In addition, the production of fresh Cuban oysters, which are of fairly good quality and are plentiful during the season, tends to rest.rict to negligible quantities the imports of the canned variety. The customs duties and other charges on this item are as follows, per kilo gram gross: maximum tariff, S0.24 and 40 per cent ad valorem; general tariff, $0.12 and 20 per cent ad valorem; rate to the United States, $0.084 and 14 per cent ad valorem; weight reduction for tare when in cases and all other containers, 15 per cent; Public \\forks tax, 10 per cent of the duty; a general surcharge of 20 per cent of all duties, surtaxes and other import charges is applicable to imports from all countries except the United States. OTHER CANNED FISH, N.E.E. Under this classification are included all those types of canned fish, but nei ther shellfish nor bi-valves, which have not been separately classified in the trade figures. The sources of supply for these many miscellaneous types are diverse, practically all of the main fi sh-canning countries of the world being represented in the statistics, although the amount from each pne, Spain and t.he United States excepted, is usually small and of little importance. The following table shows the import figures for the period 1933 to 1941 inclusive:- Cttban Imports of Olher Canned Fish 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 19<11 United States ...... Ki;. 12,186 95.566 220,433 134,031 66,986 12j,688 94,886 13,016 3,477 s 1,169 10,990 23,469 1'1 ,31 3 8,435 17,216 Jl,281 2,975 t,813 United Stntes•...... Kg...... 100 7 60 s 133 JS 126 Spain ...... Kg. 3,276 8,628 30,110 25,036 19,004 25,295 2,437 17,141 26,'120 s 376 2,788 6,765 3,7.J7 5,650 5,156 590 5.4·72 6,749 United Kingdom . . . . Kg. 129 57 83 132 241 21 4,238 149 58 s 29 41 28 47 75 5 493 50 26 Norwily ...... Kg...... SH ~so 30 37 527 365 s ...... SS 75 s 3 142 71 France ...... •Kg ...... 13 68 ...... 66 1,236 29 s ...... ······ 8 63 32 483 10 Chinn ...... J(g. 323 243 490 ...... 430 473 s 35 33 66 48 120 Japan ...... Kg. 985 1,612 4,410 38 16 s 88 138 370 5 5 Hongkong .. •. ..Kg...... 62 87 581 1 6~ $ ...... 8 10 82 14 l\•foxico ...... Kg...... 104 ...... 1,840 s ...... 30 998 Other countl'ies .. ..Irg. 90 60 412 ...... 76 163 89 3,606 s 158 57 301 ······ 16 61 51 719 -~- ~-- ~~- ~~- ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~- ~~~ Total weight.. .. Kg. 16,089 106.710 256,640 159,335 86,852 151.424 103,941 34,112 31,864 Totol value .... s 1,855 14,135 31,082 18,180 14,240 22,772 13,184 9,255 9,712 • Import figures for yem'S prior to 1939 include re-expo1·ts ; fo1· 1939 nncl following yen rs re-c.,ports nl'e shown ••onrntely. 40 DEPAR'J'JllENT OF TRADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA C~tban Import!! of Canned Salmonr--Con. 1033 1934 1035 1030 1037 1038 1939 19•10 19<11 Uniled lGngclom .... Kg...... 2 4 ...... ······ ...... 17 $ ······ l 3· ...... ······ 9 Switzerland...... J{g...... 20 $ ...... ······ ...... 30 Denmark . . . • . • . .KR...... ······ ...... 59 $ ...... 41 Canndn ...... J(p...... 268 s ...... ······ •S Fronce ...... Kg...... 47 ...... 3 s ...... ······ ...... 2q ······ 3 Sweden ...... JCg. ······ ...... ' 5 5 ······ ...... 12 Spniri ...... K~ . 788 ...... 290 $ 113 ...... 64 Ru,...in ...... Kg 81 s 13 ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ Total weight .... J(g. 23.684 37.551 24,352 17, l FISH NIARKE1'S IN THE B.W.l. AND LATIN AMERICA 43 MACKEREL No table of imports will be supplied for the item canned mackerel, as it was not until 1940 that this product was given separate classification in the trade figures. Moreover, the whole of the imports in both years were from the United States. Previous to its separate classification, the imports were included under "other fish, n.e.e." Considerable progress has been made recently in the sale of this commodity in the Cuban market. It comes packed in its own oil in I-pound tall tins. It is fairly low in price and is accorded a relatively low tariff rate by virtue of the supplementary trade treaty with the United States of December 18, 1939. That rate is S0.028 per kilogram gross, but no rates have as yet been established for imports from other countries under either the general or maximum tariff columns. Accordingly canned mackerel from any other country would be dutiable under the item "other fish, n.e.e.", the rates for which were given previously. This itei11 is subject to a Pu"blic Works tax of 3 per cent of the duty; the weight reduction for tare when in cases and all other containers is 15 per cent, and there is the usual general surcharge of 20 per cent of all duties, surtaxes and other import charges applicable to imports from all countries, except the United States. IMPORTS OF CANi\UlAN FJSH INTO CUBA The following table shows for 1933 to 1941 inclusive the items, with their values, which enter into Canada's trade in fish products with this country:- Cuban Imports of Fish from Canada 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 190 Codfish, slockfish and pollock, dried, salt.. Kg. 1,180,989 1,531,414 2,304,102 2,248,846 1,046,136 1,698,336 1,589,142 1,338,2S4 2,006,953 s 101 ,143 208,553 285,0t5 219,439 248,()44 208,561 167,653 166,241 381,297 Sardines, dried and pressed...... Kg...... 2,948 ...... 1,872 ...... 878 ...... 9,180 $ ...... 350 ...... 176 ...... 112 ...... 1,465 Haddock, Mullet nnd . sknto, dried, salted.Kg. 17,054 77,222 64,543 6,737 ...... 1,485 ...... 31 ,433 $ ······ 1,910 7,551 5.712 680 ...... 10.5 5.281 Hake, d1·icd, soiled .. l{g. · i".002 108 ,864 64,146 38,126 14,173 ·· ···· 2,340 ·2-.aoo 41,379 $ 130 10,MO s.1;3 3,332 1.490 ...... 290 325 6,548 Other fish, n.e.e., dried, sailed •...... Kg. 801 42,144 6,700 ······ ...... 37,820 32,175 $ 84 4,158 602 ...... 5,229 5,591 Herring, smoked, salted, ······ in brine or pickled.Kg. 9,857 33,104 ll,678 2,953 4,802 ...... 1,076 24,118 39,016 $ 689 1,79•1 1.m 179 243 ...... 292 1,819 3,810 Mnckcrcl, salted, in b"rine or pickled .... Kg...... 304 73.5 1,712 1,665 1,782 s ~ ... .. 42 93 150 125 137 Salmon, smoked, snlted or piakled ...... Kg...... 112 s ...... 9 Oysters nnanchovy paste, packed in a variety of ways in containers such as tin.s, glass and tubes. Both sardine and salmon pastes also contribute to the small volume of trade in this type of product. Other items are: Bismarck herring in 5-ounce and 12-ouuce jars; eels in olive oil; caviar, both red and black; codfish cakes and rolled mops and gaffel bitars in 5-ounce jars. The customs duties and other charges for this item are identical with those shown under the heading "oysters". OTHER SHELLFISH, N .E.E. Simi lar to the immediately preceding item, this one is a composite item covering all of the miscellaneous types of shellfish and bi-valves, in containers, not mentioned elsewhere. The United States is and always has been the most important supplier of these unspecified fish items, as shown by the following table of imports, although up to 1940 Spain bad a minor portion of the trade:- Cuban Imports of Other Canned Shellfish 1933 1934 1035 1936 1937 IU38 1030 1940 1941 United Stales ...... l(g. 34,930 27 .894 140,709 49,862 59.904 69.331 38,280 35,023 30,716 $ 4,106 3,722 18,345 12,337 IS,038 15,29 1 11,685 11,312 11,372 United Stales•...... Kg...... 200 29 II $ ······ ······ 284 49 64 Spnin ...... Kg. 5,668 1,277 5,009 14,170 28.789 26,777 3.002 23,168 $ 755 47 1 1,244 3,084 6,566 6,174 1.257 6.072 Frnnce ...... J 'I'nADEl TREATIES AND CUSTOMS DUTIES The customs duty on imports into the Dominican Republic of dried salted or smoked fish of all kinds is $2.25 per 100 kilograms (220 pounds) net n·eight; ' on fish in brine or otherwise pickled it is S2 per 100 kilograms gross weight. However, in addition to these basic duties, Internal Revenue taxes, established in 1935, are levied upon imports of these types of fish. TheRc to all intents and purposes are additional duties. For all types of dried salted and smoked fish this tax amounts to S0.05 per kilogram net. and for fi sh in brine or pickled it is S0.04 per kilogram gross. A most-favoured-nation treaty with the United States has been in force since 1916. The Franco-Dominican Republic trade treaty went into force in 1936; it was suspended in Deccmbrr, 1939. This treaty provided for exemption from the Internnl Revenue tax of dried codfish, auto matically accorded to t.he United Slates. On March 8, 1940, Canada signed a most-fayourecl-nalion treaty with the Republic. which exempted dried saH pollock, hake and cusk and all smoked and pickled fish from theil' respective Internal Rc\"Cnue taxes. On March 16 a similar most-favoured-nation treat~· was !'igned with Newfoundland, which exempted codfish in all form R, including cnnnccl, from payment of this tax. The present position, therefore, is that imports of nil types of fish from all counLrics except the United States, Newfoundland and Canada, arc subj ect to both the basic duty and the Internal Revenue tax. These three countries are ~ exempt from the Internal Revenue tax on dried salt. codfish, pollock. hake nnd cusk and on all smoked and all pickled fish. Ko mention was made in either treaty of dried salt haddock. and accordingly this type of fiRh is subject to the Intemal Revenue tax. However, in actual practice no apparent effort is made to distinguish between haddock and the other types of dried sa It fi sh when clearing it through the Customs, and accordingly it is usually cleared without the payment of the Internal Revenue tax. The basic duty rates on canned fi sh are as follows: - Per Kilo );!ct Weight Codfish, herring and mackerel ...... $0. 0·1 Salmon and tunny fish ...... • . . . • . • . . . • ...... 0. 03 Sardines ...... 0.05 Anchovies ancl anchovy pnste ...... 0. 25 Fish pnstes, caviar nnd fish roll ...... 0 .25 Other preserved fish nnd shellfish ...... 0.10 In addition to the above basic duties, the Internal Revenue tax for cnch item is SO.IO per kilogram net weight. 44 DEPARTMEN'l' OF TRADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA increased volume and value of codfish sales and to a similar increase in or a complete re-introduction of most of the other dried and smoked fish items of wl1ich Canada normally is a supplier. As may be noted from the foregoing figmes, Canada does not participate to any worthwhile extent in the canned fish trade of this country. However, were supplies of sardines available, it is fairly certain that a moderately important volume of trade could be developed. There does not seem to be much chance of placing any canned pilchards against Californian competition, since Canadian prices quoted in the past have always been considerably higher than those of Californian packers. In addition, there have been the •further handicaps of greater transportation cost and the tariff preference granted to United States exporters. '~'ith respect to canned salmon there is not the slightest chance of selling this item in Cuba for rcasons already explained. A small trade can be carried on in canned kipper fillets, but not much can be expected from such items as canned fish cakes or canned lobster. In the smoked, salted and pickled items the sales of bloaters could be very considerably expanded if supplies were available, but not much can be expected from the pickled types, as this trade, besides being negligible, is very strongly held by certain New York packers. The dried salt varieties will continue to be Canada's main contribution to Cuba's fish imports. Of these, codfish is by far the most important, as sales of the other vnrictics, besides being more or less spasmodic, have never reached important proportions. So much has already been published on the markets in Cuba for codfi sh ~hat nothing further need be acldecl in the present report except to state Lhnt appreciably larger quantities, even aL the present high level of prices, could be sold if supplies were available. The same may be said of the other principal types such as haddock, pollock, hake and cusk, providin!T0 they are quoted at prices reasonably lower than those of codfish. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC c. S. BISSETT, CANADIAN TRADE COMMISSIONER (Values are in Dominion dollars, equivalenl lo lhe Uniled States dollar; one kjlogram equals 2 · 2 pounds.) Havana, April 10, 1942.-There is a moderately valuable market in the Dominican Repu'blic for dried salt and smoked fish of various kinds, and a very limited market for pickled and canned fish. The entire population of the Republic is about 1,500,000, and the purchasing power is not high. Nevertheless, dried salt fish and, to a lesser e:>..rtent, smoked fish have always been moderately important items in the diet of the people, and the Lrade in these commodities constitutes a noteworthy percentage of the total annual .food imports of the country. The level of purchasing power in the Republic, as in Cuba, depends to a great extent on the sugar crop. Because of the over-production of this com modity since the 1929 depression in almost all the sugar-producing countries of the world, output in the Dominican Republic was curtailed and, in addition, the average selling .price over a period of years was very· close to the cost of production. At no time has the Republic had a preferred market in which to sell its product. I t bas always had to find an outlet in what is called the "world" market. Cuba had an assured market in the United States, as had the British West Indies in the United Kingdom and Canada, the French Islands in France, and the Dutch East Indies in Holland. Alone among the' countries of the entire Caribbean area-with the exception of Haiti, in whiJh the sugar industry is not important-the Dominican Republic has had to talte the lowest prevailing FISH MARJ(ETS IN 'l'HE B.W.l. AND LA'l'IN A M.ERIC11 47 Canada nor Newfoundland founcL it possible to compete, except to a negligible extent, in either codfish or scale-fish against these countries whose codfish by treaty was exempt from the Internal Revenue tax of $0.05 per kilogram. However, with the suspension of the French treaty in D ecember, 1939, and the signing of the treaties with Canada and Newfoundland in 1940, there was a complete change in favour of Canada and Newfoundland and to the detriment of France and its colonies. Imports from the United States in 1940 also fell off heavily, although there was no change in the tariff treatment accorded its dried salt fish. The loss of trade in the period immediately preceding 1940, as shown in the foregoing table, is therefore to a certain extent statistical only, although there actually was a comparatively large reduction in Canada's sales of dried salt fish during that period. These were almost wholly scale-fish, as Canadian cod could not compete against the cheaper cod from Newfoundland. The latter country's share of the imports is entirely in codfish. Although Canada's share of the trade in 1940 increased greatly, the total imports into the R epublic were down considerably from the figure for the preceding year. The exceptionally depressecL conditions that prevailed in 1940 in all countries in the Caribbean area were responsible for this relatively large reduction in total imports. The falling-off in sales was almost wholly due to decreased purchasing power, becau~e of the loss of markets in Europe brought about by the war, and to the slowly rising level of fish prices. T he figures for 1941, when published, are not likely to show much improvement over those for 1940, since it was not until at least t he middle of the year that any particular betterment in conditions occurred, and it was well on towards the end of the year before such betterment was translated into increased imports. HERRING AND OTHER SMOKED FISH Smoked hening of the bloater type accounts for practically the whole of this section of the fish imports. Trade in any other type of smoked fish, such as kippers, kipper fillets or salmon, is negligible. The following twble shows the amounts and values of the imports •by countries of origin for the calendar years 1937 to 1940:- Dominican Repubiic Imports of Herring and Other Smoked Fish 1937 1938 1939 1940 Canada ...... Kg. 663,666 352,315 278,522 465,952 $ 43,469 23,443 17,641 33,837 United States ...... Kg. 38,082 37,580 14.635 55,822 $ 3,619 4,084 1,225 3,872 Norway ...... Kg. 105,805 207.035 316,306 12,244 $ 7,824 15,829 18,663 777 France ...... Kg...... 17,418 $ .... 1,050 St. Pierre, Miquelon, J,angley, etc...... Kil'. .... 27,007 8,165 $ .... 2,796 4!!0 1\fadagascar ...... Kg...... 4.082 $ ...... 22<1 United States Virgin Islands ...... Kg...... 454 $ ...... 105 Switzcrlnncl ...... •. ... Kg...... 1 $ ...... 3 Tola! weight ...... Kg. 807,553 623.937 639.583 534,018 Total ,·alue ...... $ 5-1,912 40,152 40,001 38,486 Up to some five or six years ago Canada was t he principal supplier of bloaters to this country. Both the Grand Manan and t he Magdalen industries contributed to this trade. However, around 1935 Norway began to compete much more successfully in a declining market, and from then on, until the Canadian-Dominican Republic treaty was signed, made impressive headway _... - 46 DEPAR'l'MENT OF 'l'RADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA There are no exemptions by treaty from payment of this tax on any of the aibove items, except canned •codfish, which would be of any interest to Canadian exporters. DRIED SALT FISH The dried salt group is by far the most important of the classes entering this country's fish import trade. Generally speaking, the types in demand in the Republic are very similar to those sold in the Santiago de Cuba market. The hard, dry cure of Norway and Iceland is not a factor in the fish trade of this country; importers continue to prefer the types produced in Canada and New foundland. These are usually confined to three grades 'as follows: large or prime, medium, and small. Much the greater volume of sales is in the medium grade. There is a peculiar division of popularity of the various types of dried salt fish in the main sections of the Republic. Codfish is, of course, well favoured and is in demand throughout the whole area, but the sales of haddock, a type which is more or less interchangeaible in demand with codfish, are confined chiefly to the capital, Ciudad Trujillo, and the adjacent area. In the eastern part of the Republic, including the towns of San Pedro de Macoris and La Romana, and the surrounding and intervening country, pollock is mainly used. In Puerto Plata, in the north, mainly codfish and haddock and occasionally a small amount of hake is sold. In the western and northwestern sections, including Santiago de los Caballeros and La Vega, hake is consumed almost exclusively. P acking is usually in 128-pound drums net weight, although some drnms o'f 224 pounds net are used for medium and small codfish.. T he 45-kilogram or 100-pound net case is not particularly favoured by importers. The following table shows the imports by countries of origin for the years 1937 to 1940, the latest for which statistics are available:- Dominican Re'[lUblic Imports of Codfish and All Other .Salted or Dry Fish 1937 1938 • 1939 1940 Canada ..•...... •.. Kg. 244,559 89,432 34,888 397,623 $ 20,294 7,272 2,067 41,850 Ne\doundland and Labrador ...... Kg. 13,064 346,940 . $ 1,256 ... ~ 30,920 United States ...... Kg. 516,039 527.35~ 663,535 264,789 $ 62.030 64,741 73,648 26,700 St. Piene, l\[iqnclon, TJanglcr, etc...... Kg. 205.87'1 485,587 272,892 02,429 $ l9.li71 51.870 27,105 0.442 France ...... Kg. 215,958 199,313 494,675 34,830 $ 27 ,397 23,725 55,307 3,002 F1-encb Antilles ..... • ...... Kg. 15,337 $ 1,506 Norway ...... Kg. 15,514 $ 914 United States Yirgin lslnnds ...... Kg. 7,432 . $ 813 Other countries ...... Kc:. 258 201 . 214 105 $ 63 55 91 77 Total weight ...... Kg. 1,196,652 1,301,944 1,504,487 1,136,782 Total nine ...... $ 130,611 147,679 161,451 112,141 The signing in 1940 of the trade agreements with Canada and Newfound land, previously mentioned, completely altered the trend of .the Republic's dried fish imports. Previous to September 4, 1936, when the treaty with Franco went into effect, Canada ·had been the principal supplier of dried salt fish. The exemption from the Internal Revenue tax of French dried s·alt codf1.Sh at that time almost completely diverted the trade in this commodity to the French Islands of St. Piene and Miquelon, to France and to the. United States, which were accorded the same concessions. This change in •movement is readily apparent from the foregoing figm·es of imports. By t~e year 1939 neither FISH MARKE'l'S IN THE B.W.l. AND LA'l'IN A1l1ERIC1l 49 CANNED FISH Because of its ·high landed cost, almost all kinds of canned fish products must be termed luxury articles. The combined basic duties and Internal Revenue tax tend to keep canned fish out of the reach of almost the whole of the population. It is only in years of considerable prosperity that canned fish sales reach any worthwhile figure, and in times of depression they are one of the very first items to suffer in sales volume. The following table gives the imports from the main supplying countries fo r the years 1937 to 1940:- Dominican Republic Imports of Canned Fish 1937 l!l38 1939 19!0 United States ...... Kg. 102,819 118,447 198,498 19,207 $ 20,910 21,838 33,491 5,001 Japan ...... ,...... • ...... Kg$ 11,506 36 51 17,733 1,276 30 35 2,523 Italy ...... Kg. 291 483 560 4'16 $ 204 308 484 517 Portugal ...... Kg. 11 0 2,836 537 $ 3 6 888 319 France ...... Kg. 1,584 3,936 56! 307 $ 1,371 2,111 389 220 French .Africa ...... Kg. . ' .. 1,231 12,356 8 .... 345 2,247 6 United Stales Vir gin Islands ...... KJ ...... 3,043 $ 608 Spain ...... K~. 2,29! 8 fl 160 946 12 15 70 Other countries ...... • ...... K:. 1,995 977 133 239 $ 510 290 154 76 •rotal weight ...... Kg. 120,500 124,127 218,051 38,637 Total value ...... S 25,219 24,9!10 38,313 8,732 Of all the types of fish in airtight containers, only canned codfish is exempt from the Internal Revenue tax. However, this provision in the trade treaty with Newfoundland has had no important effect as yet, since the sales of canned codfish in the Republic are negligible. Much the greater part of the total imports is made up of canned sardines, either of the Mediterranean type or of what is known as the Californian sardine. The latter, of course, is a pilchard and more nearly resembles canned herring in size and sty le of pack than the small fish usua-lly described by the term "sardine", whether the young of the pilchard or of the herring. The United States has always been the principal supplier of canned fish. Californian sardines, which make up the ibulk of that country's shipments to the Republic, are usually packed in 15-ounce oval tins, but some brands are available in smaller sizes, 8 ounces and 10 ounces, in both square and tall tins. In addition some Maine exporters pack the usual small Bay-of-Fundy type of sardine in the 3~-ounce Dingley quarter, in olive oil, cottonseed and peanut oils or the so-called salad oil. Small amounts of chum salmon also figure in the total. The trade of the Mediterranean countries-Italy, Portugal, Spai1i1 France, and French Africa (chiefly French Morocco)- is almost wholly in the common type of sardine (the young of the pilchard) packed in olive oil. .Japan's main contribution is divided •between cheap salmon and crab meat. In addition to these principal canned items, there are small imports of other types such as anchovies, shrimps, the higher grades of salmon, squid or cuttlefish, fish pastes, and one or two other items prepared specially for the Spanish taste. Canada does not appear as a supplier in the foregoing table, but wi ll be listed from 1941 onwards, as sardine-packers in t he Bay of Fundy have in recent months ·been developing a small but steady trade in this market. This could be increased ·considera:bly if greater supplies were available. 48 DEPAl?'J'MEN'l' OP 'l'RADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA in the bloater trade against Canadian suppliers. Thjs treaty, however, since it exempted Canadian •bloaters from the Internal Revenue tax of 5 cents per kilo gram net, almost wholly eliminated Norw~g~an competition. There is 'no doubt that it was this treaty anp not war cond1t1ons that shut off Norway's •bloater trade with t he Republic, since that country continued to ship fish to its customary Caribbean markets during the greater pa1'l of 1940. Through its most-favoured-nation treaty with the Republic, the United States also obtained exemption from the I nternal R evenue tax on this item and increased its sales to a certain extent. However, most of the bloater shipments fro m the United States are the result of the activities ,either of branches in Maine of Canadian smokeries or of companies a llied with them. The exemption, through the Canadian treaty in :March, 1940, of bloaters from the Internal Revenue tax which had been levied on them during the prcyious five years was expected to increase considerably the consumption of this type of fish. Such increase, however, did not take place, there being in fact a small decrease as compared with consumption in the previous year. The depressed economic conditions, previously referred to, were entirely responsible for this falling-off in imports, as such conditions adversely affected the purchasing power of the cane-field workers, who are t he main consumers of this type of fish. Although the statistics for 1941 will not be available for several months, it is not expected that they will show any appreciable increase in bloater imports. Condit,ions during the first half of 1941 showed little change from those in the prcyious ycnr and, when the bet,tcrment in the sugar situation occurred late in 1941, the corresponding increase in purchasing power was almost entirely offset by the heavy successive increases in the price of bloaters from October onward. Conditions in the Republic at the present time, and probably for the duration of the war, would favour a considera·ble increase in bloater imports had prices remained more or less at the leYel of September, 1941. However, they have more than doubled, and in the opinion of importers, the price factor "·ill greatly restrict bloA.ter sales. This fact, however, should not be given too much weight by exporters as long as the supplies of blonters do not begin to accumulate to a volume in excess of t he overseas demand. PrcI FISH MARKETS JN THE B.lV.l. AND LATIN AMERICA 53 1940-41, when published, will probably show further decreases both in the volume and the value of these types of fish. However, an improven:ient in coffee exports s ince the beginning of 1941 tended to improve somewhat the imports of these types. This upward trend, however, was arrested about October of that year because of the sharp and continuous rise in the price of fish of all kinds. At present the price of smoked herring is about two and one-half times as much as it was in that month, and accordingly the demand has decreased appreciably. Considerable progress was made by United States exporters in this trade through the years under review. No ~ only did their sales increase at the expense of Canadian exporters, but they increased in a declining market. Part of this increase is a statistical one only, because over a certain period fish of Canadian origin were invoiced by United States firms and consequently credited to the United States in the trade figures. In addition certain smokeries in Maine have been sharing in a trade which has been chiefly Canadian for a long time. DRmo SALT FrsH The H aitian market for fish i~ an exception to the usual rnle that dried salt, fish is the most i1nportant item in the fish import trade. This group has always been second in both volume and value to the pickled and smoked group. Low purchasing power and the tendency to buy in small units rather than by weight is partially responsible for this situation. Generally speaking the Canadian types in demand are similar to tho!:le which are sold in the Santiago de Cuba market, although a much greater pro portion of the imports is of small fish than is the case in Santiago. The principal demand is, in fact, for small codfish, although an appreciable part of the imports is in the medium sizes. · The large-sized fish is not a factor of much importance in this tr.ade. The hard, dry cure of Norway and I celand is also comparatively unkno\\·n, and neither of these countries, which provided so much competition in normal times in the remainder of the Caribbean area, has as yet made much headway in the Haitian market. The type in greatest demand continues to be that produced in Canada a.nd Newfoundland. P rac tically all the imports in this group are of codfish. There is little demand for haddock or any of the various kinds of scale·fish such as pollock, hake and cusk. The packing preferred by importers for codfish is in drums of 432, 200 and 100 pounds net. T·he fo llowing table shows the latest available figures of imports of c!J·ied salt fish :- Haitian Imports of Saltecl or Driecl Fish 1!>37-38 1938·39 1939-40 Canndn ...... Kg. 442,430 466.064 331,006 Gde. 293.692 290,549 242.035 United States ...... Kg. 69.694 84,796 101,178 Gde. -.18.285 61,553 81,003 Bahama Islands . . . . . • . . . .Kg. 34.802 86,744 70.167 Gde. 5,82-l 15,576 12,822 Other countries ...... • . . .Kg. Cl 15 Gde. 22 34 Total weight ...... Kg. 546.026 637.610 502.366 Total value ...... Gde. 3'17,801 367,700 335,894 Canada has always been Haiti's principal supplier of dried salt fish, although in recent years competition from the United States and Newfoundland bas been increasing. The greater trade apparently done by United States exporters in recent years, as shown by the foregoing table, is, however, to a certain extent statistical only. Some part of the shipments from the United States shown in the foregoing table are really of Canadian or Newfoundland origin, having been invoiced by United States firms and consequently credited in the trade figures to that country . It is principally this competition from Newfoundland, together ~ · 52 DEP1lR1',lIE.V'J' OP 'l'RADE A1YD COJIMEHCE, CANADA as paper or cardboard, if any, in the case of othet· types. In other words, only the outer container is exempt from inclusion in the weight for duty purposes. PICKLED AND SMOKED FISH In almost every country and island possession in the Caribbean area dried salt fish, mainly codfish and scale fish, is of much greater importance in the fish import trade than is pickled and smoked fish. Haiti is the exception to this rule. P ickled and smoked fish combined have always been the leading factor in the fi sh import trade. The low purchasing power of the people, almost wholly of the Negro race, is mainly responsible for this unusual circumstance. At no time can the native Haitian pay very much for imported foodstuffs or buy them except in very small quantities for immediate needs, nnd the fact that both bloaters and alewives can be bought by the unit instead of by weight has had considerable to do with the preference for purchases of these types of fish. They can be sold readily at a few centimes per fish according Lo size. When it is considered that an 18-pouncl box of small smoked herring wi ll contain up to 200 fish, the inconvenience of selling by weight, taking into account the small amounts of money ordinarily spent at one time by the native, becomes evident. The same is true of pickled alewives. In the appended table the smoked fish section is composed a lmost entirely of smoked herring. No other type of smoked fish, such as kippers, kipper fillets 01· salmon, is imported in any amount worth mentioning. The standard pack is the 18-pouncl box, ranging in count from 90/ 110 to 140/200. Probably more of the latter size is imported than of the former, as H aiti is not considered an important market for the large or bloater size. Up to a couple of years ago, at least, the Republic absorbed around 80 per cent of the total medium- and small-size pack of the Grand .i\fanan industry. The pickled fish imports are almost entirely alewives, but a small amount of pickled herring is also imported, although there is little difference between the two fish. All imports are, as mentioned above, in standard barrels. There has been !:Ome increase in recent months in the sales of h-erring pickled in special cures for the J ewish trade, but this is still of comparatively minor proportions. Occasio1ullly also very small amounts of pickled mackerel enter in to this trade. The following table shows the imports of pickled and smoked fish for the fiscal years ending September, 1937-38 to 1939-40; later •statistics arc not avail able:- Haitian Imports of Pickled or Smoked Ji'1'sh 103i-38 1038-30 ]!)3!J.40 United Slates ...... Kg. 802.018 708.135 008,0~:'i Cele. 272,030 250,033 313,862 Canndn ...... • ..•...... Ki;. 1,3:38.402 078.HiO 601 ,557 Gcle. 4.74.008 290,536 184.820 Xo1wn.1· ...... Kg...... 11.675 Gde. .4,380 ~cthcrlnnds ...... Kg. 1,185 ...... 12 Gcle. 425 ...... 18 Gundclo111> e ...... K g...... Gde. 2 1'olnl weight ...... Kg. 2.141,605 1,787,060 1,500,614 Total 1•nlue ...... Gdc. i47.Ia5 563,MO 408,700 In the period covered by the foregoing table the United States and Canada have been the principal suppliers. Those other countries, such as Norway and Iceland, which before the outbreak of war offered such strenuous competition in all types of fish in most of the Caribbean markets, have at no time made any headway as suppliers to the H aitian trade. The sha~p decreases in imports of Lhese types of fish since 1938 are due mainly to a combination of poor crops and the loss of the coffee markets of Europe. The fi~tres for the fiscal year -.,..-· FISH MARKE1'S IN THE B.W.l. AND LATIN Al\IERICA SS packed in a 15-ouncc oval tin in the same types of oil as mentioned above, although some brands are marketed in oblong, flat tins ranging in weight from 8 to 14 ounces. The 1-pound tall tin for pilchards, as used in British Columbia, is not a popular type of packing. Except for sardines, the import of any other type of canned fish is quite unimportant. This refers to such types as the various grades of salmon, crab meat, shrimps, clams, squid or cuttlefish, the various kinds of fish pastes, and so fo rth. The United States now has practically a monopoly of the canned-fish trade of the Republic and this is due mainly to considerably increased shipments of Californian sardines. War conditions have eliminated from bhe market prac tically all of the Mediterranean-type sardines. Canadian sardine packers did not make any shipments in the latest fisca l year under review, due to a shortage of supplies in comparison with the greatly increasccl demand from all markets. While this situation lasts it is unlikely that Canada will appear as a supplier of canned fish to Haiti. PUERTO RICO C. s. 13ISSETT, CA~ADTAN T RADE COMMISSIONER Havana, June 5, 1942.-Puerto Rico is one of the most important single markets for fish products, particularly dry salt fish, in the whole Caribbean area. Although the population is only some 1,600,000, annual purchases of fish of all kinds are approximately equal to the combined annual purchases of Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. These t·hree countries together have a population about five times as great as that of Puerto Rico. The level of purchasing power in this United States possession has always been appreciably higher than that in any of the other countries in the Caribbean area. This is reflected in the com paratively high per capita consumption of fish products of all kinds. The density of population, which is about 450 per square mile, is another import,ant factor affecting the consumption of fish. Unlike Cuba and the D ominican Republic, Puerto Rico has no cattle industry of importance, and the consumption of meat is therefore relatively low. This is offset principally by a higher fish consumption than in the other islands. RECEN'l' ECONOMIC TREN 0 The general up-turn in trade, culminating in 1937, was also experienced in Puerto Rico. Subsequently, however, the downward trend which took place in the following two years was considerably aggravated by certain United States labour laws that were automatically made applicable to the island despite the fact that the labour conditions which such laws were designed to correct were va~tl y different in Puerto Rico from those in similar trades in the United States. The result was the practical elimination of the needlework industry and the creation of difficult conditions in the sugar industry. However, late in 1939 the Federal Government undertook n fairly extensive public works program for both military and civil purposes, and this has continued up to the present time. This pro gram was largely insl,rumental in restoring the purchas i1~g power of the people in 1940 more or less to normal. Despite the fact that crop returns were poor, 1940 was a very favourable year. This led to the best trading year (1941) in Puerto R ico's history, since not only was the public works program considerably accelerated, but the principal industry, production of sugar, experienced one of its most favourable years. 54 DEPARTMENT OP 'l'RADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA with a decrease in Canadian supplies, that accounted for the substantial drop in Canadian shipmen~s in the fiscal year 1939-40. The fact that Canadian exporters were able to obtain better prices in other markets also tended to reduce sales to the Republic. Depressed economic conditions and slightly higher fish prices in that year were the cause of the faidy heavy decrease in the total imports of dried salt fish of all kinds. With a continuation of these depressed conditions into early 1941, coupled with short supplies of codfish and steadily rising prices, it is probable that when the import figures for 1940-41 are published they will show appreciably greater decreases in fish imports. CANNED FISH The unimportance of canned fish as a foodstuff is even more pronounced in Haiti than in the other republics in the Caribbean area. Low purchasing power and the comparatively high landed cost of canned fish of all kinds keep it out of reach of almost everyone in the country. It is entirely a lmmry product, and can be afforded only by a very small percentage of the population. At no time in the past three years has the total value of imports of canned fish of al1 kinds exceeded U.S.$6,500. This, divided among approximately 3,000,000 inhabitants, gives an annual import value per capita of just slightly over $0.02. The following table shows the latest available figures of imports from the main supplying countries :- Haitian Imports of Canned Fish 1937-38 1938·39 1939·40 United Stales...... Kg. 5,240 11,688 15,729 Gdc. 9,138 14,78'1 24,275 France ...... Kg. 2,651 3,810 1,552 Gcic. 6.896 9,328 4,()()3 Korway ...... Kg. 5.222 3,540 1,921 Grle. 8,2'11 5,114 2,951 Ital~· ...... Kg. 1 34 32 Gde. 7 . 121 241 Canada ...... Kg. 4,091 1,988 Gclc. 4,042 1,735 Belgium ...... Kg. 977 l Gde. 1,388 1 Portugal ...... Kg. 913 I 3 27 Gclc. l ,2i3 7 70 Germany...... Kg. 4 418 Gde. 16 553 NetherlnndR ...... •.. . . Kg. 222 152 Ode. 323 191 United Kingdom ...... Kg. 241 15 I Gdl'. 327 23 6 Other countries ...... Kg. 41 40 l Gd.c. 109 139 l Totnl W!'ight ...... Kg. 19,003 2 1,689 19,203 Total va lue ...... Ode. 31,760 .31,996 32,207 The imports shown in the foregoing table are confined almost entirely to canned sardines, whether these be the young of the pilchard from the Mediter ranean countries, or the young of the herring from the North Sea countries, Canada and the United States, or the Cali fornian sardine or canned pilchard from the P acific Coast. The imports from the Mediterranean 1Jountries are packed in a variety of sizes, chiefly in olive oil. Container sizes range from 2 ounces to 12 ounces, but the bulk of the sales are made in the usual 3!- or 4-ounce tin. The sardines from the North Sea countries, Canada and the Maine coast are principally in the 3i-ounce dingley quarter, packed in cottonseed, peanut or salad oil with, in some cases. an admixture of a small amount of olive oi1' These same sardines are also offered in tomato sauce. The Californian sardine. or pilchard is usually FISH JltfARKE'l'S IN 'J'HE B.IV.l. AND Ltl 'J'IN AMERICA 57 MAIN DISTIUBU1' ING CEN'l'.RES . The capital, San Juan, located on the north coast, has a normal population of about 125,000 and is the principal distribution centre for the island. The chief sub-distribution centres are Ponce, with a population of about 65,000, located in the southern part; and Mayaguez, with a population of about 4510001 in the western part of the island. Some of the larger San Juan importers and distributors have either branches or sub-agents in each of these latter two cities. Some joint-buying agreements are in operation among firms in each of these three centres. SALES ME'l'HODS Fish is sold in Puerto Rico in many cases through agents who submit orders to exporters on a commission basis on ly; in other cases sales are made direct by exporters to the larger importer-distributors. Some of these firms will at no time place orders through agents but insist on buying direct. Some of them have standing agreements to purchase for other wholesalers in the towns in the interior. DRIED SALT, SMOKED AND PICKLED FISH For convenience, two tables are given hereunder, the first of which includes all dried salt, smoked and pickled fish, and the other all fish in cans or other airtight containers. The annual trade figures covering the imports into Puerto Rico are divided into two sections; the first deals with imports from the United States only, and the second with those from all foreign countries combined. The latter gives no clue as to the countries or origin, but uses one global set of figures only to cover the imports from a ll foreign countries. It is accordingly impossible to show the exact origin of the various fish products treated in these tables. All the values given in them are in United States dollars. As in the fish trade of all countries in the Caribbean area, the first of these two' categories is much the more important. It accounted for about 80 per r.ent of the total imports into Puerto R ico of fish products of all kinds in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941. The remaining 20 per cent was made up of various types of canned fish. This taste for cured fish has prevailed ever since the island was first colonized by the Spanish, who have always been noteworthy consumers of this food product. The following table shows the total imports of the various cures in this group during 1937-38 to 1940-41, the last fou r fisca l years for which statist.ics are available:- Pirnrto Rican lrnports of Dried Salt, Smoked and Pickled Fish 1937-38 1938-39 1939-40 1940-41 Dried snit fi sh- Lbs. S Lbs. S Lbs. S Lbs. S United Stntcs ...... 618,100 38,388 450,735 28,878 698,183 '17,804 571,223* 45,33 1* Other· countries .. .. .• .. 28,214 ,653 1,206,733 30,442,829 1,174 ,443 28,453,310 1,239,240 27,371,994 1,594,706 ------Totnl ...... • .. 28,832,753 1,245,121 30.893,564 1,203,321 29.151,493 1,287,050 27,943,217 1,640,037 Smoked hol'ring- Forcign countries 1,489,650 44 ,139 814,855 20,277 589 ,524 17,079 906,834 33,177 Pickl ed hcning- Forcii:m count ries .. .. 278,520 4,991 749,440 18,495 •123,401 10,343 802,480 8,541 Pickled nnd snlterl mnckorcl- United States...... 138,14-J• 9,soo• Othcl' countr·ics ...... 27,500 1,500 26,100 995 " 1'1il,800 3,719 67,950 2,670 Total •...... ~ ~ --u.tOo -WS 113,800 ---a,m 206,094 ~ Pickled nlcwivcs- Forcign countries ...... 5,000 :m • Publicntion of United Stnlc,, import statistics wns suspended nt the end of March, 1941 ; imports for the months of April, Mny and June are not included, therefore, in the 1940-41 figures. 56 DEPAR'I'MENT Oft' 'l'RADE llND C'O.l!MERCE, CANADA Previously operating under a quota in its only possible export market, the United States mainland, the industry last year was called upon to supply a considerable part of the sugar that the mainland previously had obtained from Hawaii, the Philippines and other more cLlstant countries. The shipping shortage, which provided Puerto Rico with an opportunity to dispose of practically lhe whole of the 1941 crop and all accumulated surpluses, still continues. At present, however, it has become so acute that even Puerto Rico is unable to obtain space for normal shipments from the bumper 1942 rrop. Although this shortage may later considerably reduce the island's suga r exports, the,gcneral position up to the past few weeks was that the island profited greatly at the expense of other United States possessions, and during the pasl two years has experienrecl one of the best periods in its history. This: general prosperity is rcflertcd in the annual purchases ot' fi sh products of all kinds, despite greatly inrreasecl fish prices that do not appear to have greatly alTccted the rate of consumption. The appended tables cover the four-year period up to June 30, 1941, the encl of the Puerto Rican fiscal year. Considering the greatly accelerated price rise, in dry salt fish particularly and aim in canned sardines, since September of last yPar, it may be that the figures for the fiscal year 1941-42, "·hen published, will show a considerable decrease in the tounage imported. CusToMs DuTrns As Puerto Rico is an integral pnrt of the United States, the customs duties on fish of all kinds entering the island :we those imposed on fish entering that country. The mtes on the various types of fish in \Yhicb Canadian cxporfers are most likely lo be interested are as fo llows: Puerto Rican Customs Duties Fish, pickled or snlk!d- Rate or Duty Salmon ...... • 12~% ad ml. Cod, haddock. l nke, pollock ·nnd cusk. neither ~kinnecl nor boned (except that vertebral coh1m11 tnny be removed): Containing not more than 43% moisture by weight .. i ct. per lb. Containng more thnn 43% moisture br weight ...... ii ct. per lb. Cod, haddock. hake, 11ollock, nud cusk. skinned or bonell ...... ' ...... H ct. per lb. Ilening (inrluclc sp1·ats, pilchards and anchovies): J3ehendcd and e,·iscernled, but not further nclvnnced (except fin s may he l'CtllO\'('d) ••.•••..• . • . •.• , •• •• •..•.. ••.•.•..• • act. per lb. If known <'OITI111<.' r c i nll~· as SJ>lit herring ..... , ...... i ct. per lb. ~Inckcrel , in bulk or in containers weighing, with contents, more than 15 lbs. en ch ( r!'port net weight) ...... 1 ct. per lb. Alewives, in btilk or in containers weighing, with eontents, mo1·e thnn 15 lbs. ea«h (r<'port net weight) ...... i ct. per lb. Fish. smoked or kippered- Snlmon ...... 15% nd val. Herring. who)(' or beheaded: H ard dry-~moked ...... I cl. p<'r lb. Other ...... It et. per lb. Hening, bo1wd, whether or not 1 CANNED FISI-1 AND SHELLFISH The per capita purchase of canned fish by Puerto Rico is also considerably greater than that of any other country in the Caribbean area. This is due not only to the island's higher level of purchasing power but also to the fact that no customs duties are paid on the many varieties of canned fish prepared on and imported from the United States mainland. Whereas canned fish can be landed in the other Caribbean countries only at a heavy increase over its original cost, the landed price in Puerto Rico is very little higher than in the United States. Accordingly American suppliers have practically a complete monopoly of Puerto Rico's canned fi sh import trade. The share of this trade held by fo reign countries is of only minor importance and is confined chiefly to canned fish specialties not produced in the United States. The fo llowing table shows that in the last fiscal year foreign countries supplied only about 2 per cent of the island's total canned fish imports:- Puerto Rican Imports of Cannecl Fish IV37-38 1038-89 1930-40 1940-41 Cnnncd •ordino•- Lbs. S Uis. $ Lbs. $ Lbs. S United Stntcs.. . • • . . . . . 2,683,203 186,004 1,609.8!0 102,326 1,884,021 143,102 2,708,927* 100,236* Other countries . . . • . . . . 75,819 10,170 67,237 7,262 3,014 843 15,445 2,412 ------Total .. . . • . •. . . . . 2,659,022 196,174 1,577 ,056 109,588 1,887,035 143,045 2,724,372 201,648 Carmoo .almon- Unitt TotoI , ...... 737 ~6 51 ,008 2,447 1,046 413 55,566 12,17Z • Publication of United States import statis:ics wM •uspcnded on March 31. 1041; imports for the months of April, llfny and June nrc not induded, therefore, in the 1940-41 figures. As is the case in every other country in the Caribbean area, the most important type of canned fish is the sardine. Under this heading are grouped all the various types of sardines, whether the young of the pilchard or of the herring, or whether from MecJjterranean, North Sea, or Atlantic waters, and including the mature hening in cans and the Californian sardine or pilchard of the Pacific Coast. The bulk of the imports is composed of the Californian sardine or canned pilchard. This is packed as a rule in 15-ounce oval tins, although some companies offer the same product in weights down to 8 ounces, either in oval flats, square flats, or round tall tins. The sardine canners in the Bay of Fundy area of Maine also ship substantial quantities of small sardines packed in 3i-ounce Dingley quarters in olive oil, cottonseed and peanut oil, or so-called salad oils, and in tomato sauce. The sardines imported from foreign sources come almost entirely from t.he Mediterranean countries and are the 58 DEPAR'l'MEN'l' OF 'l'RADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA DRIED SALT FISH In the last fiscal year dried salt fish alone accounted for almost 78 per cent of the total fish imports of all types, whether uncanned or canned. Much the greater part of these imports was dried codfish, only comparatively small amounts of dried haddock and scale fish being included. In normal years the quantity of codfish brought into the country ranges from 120,000 to 130,000 barrels of 224 pounds net weight. Some of the hard-dry cured codfish is shipped in tierces of 448 pounds net. The remainder of the imports under this heading is made up of the other varieties of fish mentioned above. Up to four or five years ago Canada supplied about one-fourth, and Ne'wfoundland about two- . thirds of the dried fish consumed. The remaining one-twelfth came from Norway, the United States and one or two other unimportant sources. Since that time, however, Newfoundland was able to capture a considerably increased portion of the total trade because of substantially lower prices. This increase was achieved mainly at the expense of Canadian exporters. Since the invasion of Norway there have been practically no imports from that country. MARKET REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING The customs tariff divides dried salt fish into two classes: (1) that con taining less than 43 per cent and (2) that containing more than 43 per cent moisture by weight. The great bulk of the imports is in the latter category because the rate of duty thereon is 40 per cent less than that on the former. Much the greater part of the Canadian and Newfoundland supplies are in this category. The Norwegian fish, because it is always finished much drier, almost always contains less than 43 per cent moisture, and accordingly pays the higher tariff rate. The Norwegian grades formerly supplied were regular, superior nnd inferior. The Canadian and N'cwfoundland grades arc large or prime, medium, and small. Only a small percentage of lhe imports are in prime grade, the bulk of the demand being mainly for the medium, and, to a lesser extent, for the small grnde. The taste and food value of Canadian 'fish are generally consid ered to be superior to those of fish from any other country, and the Canadian product is the standard by "·ltich fish is judged in this market. Nevertheless the tariff classification according to moisture content puts. a premium on purchases of fisb with a content above 43 per cent, which encomages the purchase of the cheapest fish obtainable. Accordingly price is an important factor in the Puerto Rican trade. With increasing prices in recent years, the sales of inferior types of codfish, such as Laborador slop, has lcndcd to reduce the sales of the better grades of fish. SMOKED AND J>JCKLED FISH These two fish cures arc comparatively unimportant in the island's fish import trade as compared with dried salt fish. The figures for smoked herring given in the foregoing table arc almost entirely for bloaters, as very li ttle trade is carried on in kippered herrings. As is the case in most tropical countries, kippered hcnings, in order to withstand the climate, must be so heavily smoked and salted that their palatability is seriously les!!ened. A negligible amount of smoked salmon for tfie high-class hotel t rade is also brought in. The United States is not shown as a supplier of these types of herring. A certain amount is supplied in normal times by Norway, but the great bulk of the imports are from Canada. Packing is in the usual 18-pound box. The import trade in pickled fish is even smaller than that in smoked fish. Packing is usually in banels and tubs for the types sliown in the foregoing table. Th9 herring is mostly packed in brine, known as mari1iated and bismarck herring. f ,...... FISH .l!ARJ\ETS TN 'l'HB B.1 1·.1. AND LATIN AMERI CA 61 The following table shows the cotal iVlexican fishing production, witli the volume and percentage of production from coastal and inland waters, for the years 193\'3 to 1936 :- Mexican Prod'lwlion of Fish 1"1'0111 (.;onslal and Inland \V<1le1·s 'l'otn l Per Cenl JGlos Kilos of Tot11l l!J33 ...... • . . . . • . . • • 5.!)83.94.0 290.74ii 4.85 1!):34 . . . • . • . . 12'.133,27l 402,437 a.:n 1035 ...... 11.387.74(1 242.!) 12 2. l:l l!l36 ...... I0.585.148 810.4711 7.65 The Fishing Law of August 26, 193·2, a copy of which is on file: at the Department of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa, outlines the steps taken for the protection of, and economic assistance to, the fishermen in this country. The 01·ganization of fi shing co-operativeE has •been one of the principal objects of the Federal Government. In 1936 there were some .sixty-seven co-operatives with a membership of fou r hundred fi shermen. However, there is still much room fo r improvement in regard to this legislation and its administration. Do~r&c;r1c INDUSTRY Tl1e domestic .commercial catches of fish in Mexico from west coastal waters fo1· the years 1937 to 19·3>9 were as fallows: 1937, 8,089,669 kilns; 1938, 12,811,719 kilos; 1939, 12,7'30,133 kilos. The catches from waters on the east coast in the :;:a.me.years were: 1937, 4,301,442 kilos; 1938, 4,781,030 kilos; 1939, 5,556,920 kilos. During the period 1925 to 19'29 the catch for the western coast of Lower California was much ·higher than al present; on the other hand, in the other coastal areas the catch has increased. It is extremely difficult to oblain .adequate information concerning the local fishing industry. The reason for this is the a.bolition of the Department of Forests and Hunting and Fishing, which compiled the fi shery statistics. The activities of this department have now ibcen taken over ·by the Naval Depart ment, which does not seem to have done anything to reorganize and continue this .service. Further, po1litical interests in obtainjng fishing concessions have done all that they can to render as secret as possible aH data in regard to such mat.ters. Fe\\· persons, in fact, know anything about the value and prospects of the l\Iexican fisheries. During the Diaz regime development of t he fishing industry 011 the Pacific coast of Mexico· wa.s retarded• by the grant of exclusive concessions to one party for a long per·iod of years. The concessionaire generally spent most of the time allowance in an endeavour to dispose of his concession to American, Canadian, or Japanese interests for large sums of money. During the Carranza regime a·ll the Diaz concessions wern cancelled. Regulations and decrees further disorganized the industry. The Obregon administration declared fishing to be free on the Pa.cifi.c coast and removed a number of the regulations that hampered th<:! industl'y. It is reported tha.t, owing to .the d~fficulty of obtaining cod Jive!' oil, a plant is to be established for extracting oil from .sharks. The principal pack ing p lants in :Mexico are at La Ensenada, Isla de los Ceclros and Cabo San Lucas, in Lower Cal·ifornia, ancl at Topolobampo and Escuinapa in Sina'1oa. Figures of production are not available, but it has been es~imatecl at J1'r e thousand cases per day. The packing plant in Isla de los Cedros produces 500 cases per clay when opera.tin.g at i:naximum capacity. The tax office at San Diego -collects n small charge for a.II fish from Mexican waters for packing in the United States. The foregoing information on the Mexican fishing industry is by no means complete. The fish found on the Mexican Atlantic coast differ as a rule very greatly from those found in the Pacific coastal waters. On the coasts. pal'ticu- 60 DEPAR'l'J\IENT OF 'l'RADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA usual type in pure olive oil and in the Yarious weights supplied from those countries. As is natural, the United States has a complete monopoly of the canned salmon trade, and no other country is likely to be able to overcome the customs duty handicap \Yhich it would meet in any effort to sell this product in the island. The canned shellfish figul'cs cover many different kinds of fish of this type, almost all of which are of United States origin. These comprise clams of various kinds, including razor clams and clams in combination with other products; lobster, including spiney lobster and crawfish; slirimps; mussels; crab meat; oysters and other bi-valves, etc. The miscellaneous fish and fish products figures include such items as fish cakes, fish balls, fish pudding, sauces and pastes, fish roe and sounds, and squid or cuttlefish. It is improbable that Canadian exporters of canned fish will be able to make much headway in Puerto Rico in competition with American packel's, since the types of fish packed in lhc two countries are so similar. The best prospects are in those items such as dried salt cod, haddock, hake, pollock and cusk, and smoked herring, of which Canada has always been a substantial supplier. Economic conditions in the island are expected to continue at a compar atively high level, always providing that sufficient shipping continues to be available as required to move the sugar crop to the United States. While these conditions continue, the market prospects for dried salt fish would appear to be very favourable, despite the subslantial price increases during the past nine months. MEXICO A. B. :\lUDDIL\IAN, CANADIAN TRADE COMMISSIO!\"ER (One peso of 100 centa\'OS equals uppro:dmately 23 cents Canadian; one meLric ton equals 2,204 pounds; one kilo equals 2·2 pounds.) Ucxico City, January 10, 1942.-"'hile fish are abundant in the waters along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico, development of the fishing industry in this country has not been very progressive. Mexicans are not large consumers of fish. One of the reasons for this is the diifficulty of •bringing this product from the tropical areas along the coast into the intel'ior, except to the largc1· towns. F ish is not popular among the India.ns, who make up, with half castes, 90 per cent of the total population. In addition to sea fishing, upon which the bulk of the industry is dependent, Ivlexicim inland waters afford a fair variety of fish. The Department of Forests and Hunting and Fishing, before it was abolished in December, Ht39, established a number of hatcheries and gaYe some attention to re-stocking certain inland waters, fish eggs being brought from the United States. It classified the various fishery products in Mexico into nine groups, including crustaceans and products derived from crnstaceans, aquatic plants, sponges, etc. Fresh fish was regarded as the most important grnup, the two principal marine fishing areas being in the waters or Lower California and Veracruz. Among crustaceans, shrimp and lobster were considered most important. These are obtained mostly from Lower California, Sonora, Sinaloa, Chia.pas, and Ycraeruz waters. Oysters were valued not on ly as food but also as a source of pearls. Sea fishing in Mexico comprises deep-sea fishing and fishing in coastal waters. The lat.ter proYide 65 per cent of total production, deep-sea fishing accounts for ·29 per cent, and inland waters for 6 per cent. Deep-sea fishing is carried on chiefly by foreignc1·s, particularly Japanese. On the bther band, fishing in tenitorial and inland waters is entirely carried on by Mexican nationals. .,.....--- FISH MARKETS IN 'l'HE B.lV.l. AND LATIN A iWERlCA 63 rail are a valuable basis for an estimation of the extent of the principal Mexican market for fish, since this product is not consumed in the country districts. According to official statistics, a total of 11,456 metric tons was brought in by rail for the Federal District in 1936. In 19'3q this figure was dou1bled, imports rising to 22,831 tons, and in 1938 they amounted to 14,835 tons. In 1939, owing to increased local fishing, this figure bad risen to 25,558 tons, practically all of ,,·hich was ·consumed1 in ·the Capital. Small quantities were d·istributed each year to outer districts from the Capital, amounting in 193£ to 788 tons, in 1937 to 171 tons, in 1938 to 198 tons, and in 1939 to 147 tons. Deducting these quantities from the total imports by rail, the consumption of fish in the Capital for these years can be estimated. It should be noted that figu res of imports into the Federal District also indlucle all the imported foreign fish, salted and dried, etc., consumed in the Capital. MEXlCAI\ EXPORTS OF FISH Exports of fresh fish and shellfish from Mexico fo r the years 193\3 to 1939 were as follows: 193·3, 3.,772 metric tons; Ht34, 7,709 tons; 1935, 5,97•5 tons; 1936, 5,608 tons; 1937, 7,068 tons; 1938, 8,727 tons; 1939·, 30,053 tons. Exports of canned fish and shellfish for the same yea.rs were: 1933, 902 metric tons; 1934, 1,282 tons; 19315, 1,728 tons; 1936, 1,186 tons; 1937, 2,290 tons; 1938, 1,534 tons; 1939, 1,733 tons. The principal markets for Mexican exports of fish are the United States, Japan and China. Japanese nationals resident in Mexico control t.he trade with their own ·country. The principal trade with China is in shark fins. Stomachs and spawn of fo=-h find their best markets in Algeria and Tunis, fo'llowed 1by the United States, France and Syria. Apparently tunny is the most popular Mexican fish product in the Unitect States, but other species of fresh fish are a lso importa.n t for the canning industry in that country. In fact, the United States is almost the exclusive purchaser of all kinds of fresh fish from ::vrexico. However, of the large number of species of fish found in the Mexican coastal waters and lakes, only a few are in demand in other countries. If markets could be found fo r these and other species, Mexican fishing grounds would be much more valuable. MOTHBR-OF-PEARL INDUSTRY It is estimated that the exportation from i\11exico of mother-of-pearl in 19<37 amounted to 96,424 kilos. Exports in 1938 were 91,067 kilo.s, and in 1939 they rose to 141,653 kilos. Before the war Germany was the principal purchaser of Mexican mother-of-pearl, and the United States has always taken the rough and manufactured pearls. There are no records covering the production of pearls in Mexico. During 193-8, ex.por ts of pearls in the rough or manufactured state totalled 1,283 pieces; for 1939 the figure was 243-pieces. IMPORTS The factors affecting sales of domestic fish have even a ·greater bearing on the importation of foreign fish. To sell more fo reign fish in i\IIexi·co, prices must. be lower. The market, as stated above, is limited, owing to the fact that the native population, approximately 90 per cent of the total, do not like £sh, and no efforts have been made to develop a taste for fish among the Mexican people. Two factors that hold up the prices of imported foreign fish in the Mexican market are t ransportation and duty charges. 62 DEf>AR'l'MENT OF TRADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA Jarly on the Pacific, the population is so small that there is very litL!e con sumption of fish. The difficu~ty confronting the canning industry is that the fish packed are from tropical waters; for example, fish from the Gulf of California are said to contain too much phosphate, causing the bones to harden and the flesh to soften in the process of canning. San Francisco fish-packers ha\'e always been interested in the :Mexican Pacific coast as a fishing ground. The fish that is most abundant is mullet, all species being found from the striped to the white varieties. Speaking generally, the Mexicans in the Capital mostly consume pampano, robalo, and huachinango. Better results could be obtained from t he Spanish mackerel and sardine fishing than at present, if adequate cold storage and other facilities were available. Most i'"lexican fishing is carried on under primitive conditions, and exploitation with modern equipment, cold storage, and packing plants is at present beyond the reach of the Mexican industry. CANNING INDUSTRY The limited amount of canning done in l\Icxico is confined .chiefly to .sardines, the n,mount of fish consumed in recent years being as follows: 19'37, 6,949 metric tons; 1938, 6,188 tons; 1939, 6,797 tons. For the same years the volume of shellfish canned was: 1937, 568 tons; 1938, 415 tons; 1939, 1,245 tons. 'Vhile the price paid for the fresh fish for canning was only 5 centavos per kilo in 1934, in 1938 it had gone up to lO centavos. Similarly for shellfish the price in 1934 was 25 centavos per kilo, while in 1939 it was 40 centavos. An increase in the price of fish in Mexico prevents the consuming market from expnnding. It. will be necessary to first create a demand and maintain prices at a low level in order to increase the consumption of fish. At present the pl'ices for fish are increa~ing, and this should be borne in mind by prospective exporters t.o this market. About fifteen packing-houses are in operation in Mexico, only three of which are "-ell organized. These packing-houses do not operate all the year round but only during certain seasons. Information as to the total number of employees is not available. Labour troubles are rife among the fishermen. There are about one hundred small fishing boats in use, their ,capacities varying from four to one hundred tons and their crews from three to fifteen men. The majority of the fishing boats nre fitted with Diesel engines, but there arc al.so many small sni ling vessels. The varieties of fish packed in cans arc n1ackerel, jurel, sardines, bonito, shrimp, atun, and abulon. Certain fish belonging to the salmon family-silver salmon, king salmon-are also canned. There are said to be thirty co-operative societies in connection with the fishjng industry. The Department of National Economy is the organizing !body. Until the outbreak of war between Japan and lhe Unit,cd Slates, practically the only active fishermen· on the Mexican Pacific coast were Japanese. A large percentage of the catch was 'taken to San Diego, California, to be ·canned. DoMES·rrc :l\IAnKET The principal consuming area for fish in l\lexico ,is the Federal District :\lexico City has an estimated population of 1,750,000. While a large number a.re indigent Indians, the city itself is extremely cosrnopolilan and there is n fair number of American and European residents. Tbe Americans prefer cnnnecl fish, while the Europeans purchase dried and salt fish. Prnctica~ly all the fish that is consumed in tlw Federal District and the interior of the country is brought in by rail. Theref~re. the imports of fish by .,...- /?!SH MARJ\ETS TN 'Pl-IR B.11'.l. AND LATU\' A.lfERl('A 65 country. In the restaurants of the Capital, ho\\'ever, all fres·h fi sh serT ed is of local produrtion and comprises robalo, huachina.n.go, Spanish mackerel, pampano, Jobst.er, trout, slll'imp, octopus, starfish, and other varieties. DRIED, SALTED, S l\!OKED ANO PICKLED FrsH There is a demand in Mexico for about 400 metric tons of codfish annually. Thi <> quantity is s urprisingly small when the population of Mexico is compared with that of other markets, such as Cuba, ,,·here there is a good demand for codfish. Ho1,·ever, it must be borne in mind that .consumers of codfish ill l\foxico :ire limited practically to Europeans Jiving in or around the Capital on the central plateau. As in the case of other fi sh, in order to sell more codfish it will be neec:,-s,a ry to deYelop the ronsumer demand. Further, in order to increase the number of conrnmers, the fi sh would have to be delivered more cheaply. At pre.sent the l\Iexican customs duties and the hi.gh transportation charges to this market rend er this impossi ble. Customs du ties alone run to at least JO pesos per case, a.mounting to $0·082 (United States currency) per kilo as compared wi th $0·055 in Cu•ba. In Cuba. the market is within easy clistanC' e or the POl'L Practically no rodfish is consumed on the McxiC'an coast but ha s to be b·rought by rail i'i·om the port of Veracruz to the Federal Disll'id, which is 264 miles, or twelve hour·:::. from the coast. The C'odfislr is l ~mdecl in port, whel'e the climate is \\'al'm and moist, and is then transpol'ted to the rarefied atmosphere of the Capital's Altitude of approximate ly two miles abo,·e !'ea-level. The retail pl'ice of codfi;:h in Cuba is around $0 ·16 (Unite The foll owing Lable shO'IYS the impor~a t ion or fi &h into Mexi co fo r the ca lendar years 1938, 1939 and 1940, wi th fi gures for individual countries of supply:- 111 e:i.:ican I 11111ort s of Fis h 1938 193!) !040 Kilo" Kilo,; l FRESH FrsH The fresh fi ~ h .consumed in i\foxico is prnclica lly all of loca l origin. The on ly except.ion i;; snHdl qufl.ntitics imported at border points, where fi sh may be obtained more easily and cheaper from neighbouring coun tries, lower freight charges offsetting customs duties. Distribution is one of the prnblems of i\foxican comml'rcr affecting all products. It is often the case thnL n foreign ar~icle can be imported at border points, whereas the local product, owing to limited tran~portation fa.cilities, ca.nnot bt> brought frolJl. the other end of the ...,.,....-- FIS H MARKETS IN THE B.TV.l. AND LATIN AMERICA 67 Sardines.-Uncler the heading "sardines" is included the 15-ounce tin of so-called Californian sardines. The largest sale of this grade of sardine is in the interior of Mexico; while the European sardine proper is sold in the Capital, where it is oeonsumed as an hors d'ceuvre or anti pasta. Californian sardines are generally packed in tomato sauce, sell ing retail for around 1 ·25 peso per tin. There is also a demand, although t he volume of sales is sma11ler, for t he Mexican packed "Vaquero" sardines, which retail at 75 centavos per tin. The Mexican product is generally considered to be of inferior quality. It is packed in tins of one-half kilo. First-class sardines for canning are available from Mexican waters, including t he "s·ilverside" (Sardinella lcowala), 'Which averages about three inches when mature, and the "1bh1c" sardine (Sardinellci episthonema) which wou1ld make excellent canning material. Before the war Canadian sardines were wel·l known and fa voured in northern Mexico and, when supplies can 1be again obtained, this trade can no doubt be reopened and maintained in thij>t area. I t is doubtful, however, whether these sardines wHI ever be popular in the Capital. In t hat area the Jow-.grade cheap Spanish sardine is preferred. Cans should be soldered and not mechanically seaJled. Owing to duty and freight charges, the sale of sardines wi.11 never be large in Mexico in proportion to the population. For the small luxury trade, genuine Portuguese sardines and F rench sardines are on sale in small quantities. Prices range from 1·20 to 2 pesos per tin weighing slightly less than one-seventh of a kilo. Lobster.-Practica·lly a•ll the canned lobster sold in Mexico comes from · Cuba. A fresh local "spiny" lobster of good quality is sold in the markets of the Capital; this is "rock" lobster from the west coast. However, it is not popular, nor are the canned 101bster& which come from Cuba. Canadian canned lobster is practically unknown in this market. The high duty, ·lack of interest in the product, and the preference of Y.I:exicans for shrimps, which are abundant locally, will always have an adverse effect on the sale of imported lobsters. Shrimps.-Shrimps, ·both t he fresh-water and salt-water varieties, abound in Mexico. Shrimps from the west coast are not true shrimps but a species of prawn. Fresh shrimps have always been shipped overland fro'in :Mexico to ~he United States, ·but the freight charges have been high owing to packing and other factors. The first shipment to the United States by sea was recently despatched from northwestern Mexico. There is no market in Mexico for imported canned shrimps. Fresh shrimps are often consumed raw. They are sold by the natives by basket on the coast. Owing ' to the inadequacy of internal transportation, which should always be borne in mind when considering the Mexican market, shrimps are consumed in the area where they are produced. Thus, in the Capital Rrea natives abtain fresh-water shrimps from ponds and rivers. Oysters.-Imports of ·canned oysters are small. The ha-If-caste populat ion in Mexico consumes fresh oysters, which are found on the coasts, particularly on the Pacific .coast, in fair quant.ity. In the Capital there are several oyster restaurants, but total consumption, even of t he local fresh oyster, is limited in proportion to the country's population. This is partly accounted for by the r eluctance of foreign consumers, parLicularly Amerkans, to eat oysters from warm wa:ters. At various times local canneries ·have attempted to process Mexican oysters, but their efforts have ·been unsuccessful, owing .particularly to la·bour difficulties with the local fishermen. Other Canned Fish.-The import market for such lines as clams, tunny fish , caviar, anchovies, ·crabs, etc., is almost negligible. 66 DEPAR'J'MENT OF TRADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA Very lit.tie smoked salmon is sold in Mexico. There is no market for ale wives such as there is in Jamaica and Haiti. Dried, salt and pickled herrings have •been imported from time lo time from the United States and even from Canada. These fish, however, are not purchased by Mexicans, the dried herrings being consumed by a few wealthy English for 1breakfast. Pickled herrings arc consumed by Scandinavians. In 1910 there were imports of pickled herrings from Canada n.mounting to 4,784 barrels, but in recent years this item has practically disappeared owing to the fact that Europe supplied them cheaper. It i!' doubtful if the trade could •be revind, owing to the fact that the foreign populations of Scandinavians, Germans, etc., in Mexico are not in a position to purchase because of the war. Attempts have been made to import haddock, but the delay in bringing it up from the .coast to the Capital has generally resulted in its anival in nn unsatisfactory condition. Until better transportation facilities arc available, it will be impossible to market either dried or salted sea herrings and pickled 01· smoked herrings. As there is an aibundance of excellent Spanish mackerel, pickled mackerel is not in demand as in Jamaica. While in the Caribbean islands there is a good market for pollock, hake, and cusk, there is no market for them in Mexico. CANNED FISH The leading varieties of canned fish arc brought into Mexico in small Clllantities. Price is the principal factor limiting importation and, as stn.tecl ailready, the bulk of the native .population does not consume fish. The main varieties imported arc salmon and sardines; imports of others are negligible. Salrnon.-Some years ago Canada shared the import trade in salmon with the United States, providing principally the pink variety. About 19291 this trade received a severe setback, due to the fact that two canning factories were established in Mexico on the coast of Lower California. These factories began to pack a. local Pacific fish known as '\ellowtail" in cans similar in all respects to the Canadian one-pound pack of salmon. Even the labels were an imitation of the Canadian label. Protected at that time by a duty of eigh t cents (Cana dian ·cunency) per kilo, legal weight, which has been increased at present to sixteen cents, this pseudo-salmon has obtained control of the :Mexican market, except for a limited high-class trade in reels and sockcyes. On this account local agents long ago lo.st all interest in handling Canadian salmon. Recent inquiric;; at five leading grocery stores in Mexico City show that no Canacl'ian canned salmon has been offered to them for a long time. Unjted States firms, through •brokers in Sa.n Francisco, still sell a small quantity of pinks n.nd the better qualities of reds and sockeyes. Only the bettcr class grocers handle these products. The locally canned (so-called) salmon sells to Mexican consumers because it is far cheaper than Canadian salmon, the retail price ranging from 80 centa,·os to 2 pesos, while that of imported salmon ranges from 1.50 to 2.50 pesos pe1· one-pound can. 'Vhile Canadian salmon was favoured in the past, there appear to be only limited sales possibilities for the near future, even if supplies were forthcoming. It is also doubtful, in view of the operation of local canning.plants, whether the market can ever be reopened for Canadian canned salmon unless the duty is lowered. The higher rate of duty and the advantage of direct shipment of American salmon from San Francisco are adverse factors affecting lhc situation. If an entry were attempted into this market again, when times become normal, it would be better for British Columbia exporters to specialize in sockeyc and the other high-class grades. Sales would be limited, b\ft t.he consumer who buys these grades wants salmon and not "yellowtail." :.; ~ F!Sll .llARl-lETS /.\' THE 8.11".I. 11.VD LA'I'l.V AMERICA 69 of the year. Orders placed for delivery prior to Lent will be g1·eatly in excess of those placed for delivery at othe1 t.imes during the year. E>qlorters should be very careful to sec that such orders arc promptly attended to, otherwise a most unfavourable reaction is bound to occur and some difficulty may be experienced in having late shipments accepted. Costa Rica CODFISH Before the war began Costa Rica favoured Norwegian codfiioh, but when supplies were cut off new i:ources of supply were sought in the United States and Canada. Fillets arc preferred in Cost Rica although some codfish is sold with head rcrnoyed but with the fins, lftil and bones left intact. The type most in demand, however, is boneless codfish, packed in 1-pound packages, pn.per wrapped, 20 pounds to a case. Costa Rica has also provided a market for boneless canned codfish, prin cipally from Norway. This is packed in tins of 5 and 10 kilos gross weight, in cartons of 4 tins of 10 kilos each and 8 t.ins of 5 kilos each. JI:, should not contain more than 40 per cent moisture and, as duty is paid on gross weight, the packing of this or any other type of fish should be as light as possible. This question of packing applies to all the countries covered by this report. Imports of codfish into Costa Ricn. during 1939 amounted to 228,128 kilos valued at 829,743 and in 1940 to 198,326 kilos valued at 832,695. In 1939 Norway and Canada were the principal suppliers, exporting 58,429 kilos valued at 89,565 and 80,399 kilos valued at 89,313 respectively. The United Kingdom in the same year supplied 75 082 kilos valued at 88,107. In 1940 ~orway supplied 64,574 kilos valued at Sl4,C41, followed by Canada with 75,419 kilos valued at $11,037. T he United States, which in 1939 only supplied 3,221 kilos valued at $526, in 1940 exported lo Cosla Rica 21,265 kilos valued at $3,481 and the United Kingdom supplied 36,252 kilos valued at $3,431. For the first three months in 1941 Canada and the United States were t.he only suppliers of codfish to Costa Rica. Canada supp1icd 49,819 kilos valued at $8,094 and the United States 30,855 kilos valued at 87,408. OTHER FISH D uring 1939 Costa Rica imported 399,153 kilos of preserved 'fish, all types except codfish, valued at 863,346, which indicates a fair demand. While the statistics do not separate the import.s in to groups, sardines would probably head the list, followed by canned salmon. For these two products Canadian suppliers arc we ll introduced in this market; but there are still other oppol'tunities, especia lly for so-called California-type sardines packed in tomato sauce and in oval tins. As in other markets in this tcnitory canned lobster is a luxury article on account of its compar~tively high price; consequently the demand is limited. Nicaragua Nicaraguan statistics do not list separately the various types of fish imported. All are entered under one ·heading: "fish, sea food, etc., smoked, preserved or sn.lted." Under this classification imports for 1938 amounted to $8,287 and for 19~9 to 815,748. These are the latest figures available. This market is obviously relatively small and it is difficult for Canadian exporters to cater to, even if they were so inclined, as transporlation facilities are limited. CODFISH The demand for codfish in Nicaragua is similar to that of Panama. What is wanted is a well-cured fish of medium size. The head should be removed but the fins, bones and tail left intact. The usual packing is in butts weighing 300 pounds, although some codfish is imported in 200-pound butts. ~ 68 DEf>Al?'I'il/NN'l' OF 'J'RADB AJ\'D C'Q.1/,\1/WCI':, CASADA 0TI-IER FTSH PRODUCTS There is no demand for fi sh meal in i\foxico. Poultry and livc-slock rn1s111g has not yet been dcvclopccl to the extenl lhnl such products as pilchard oils could be us:?d to advanlagc. Ho\Yevcr, fish oil is imported to some cxlent b:" soap factories. Norway rormel"ly shipped to this market hardened whale oil that "·as sno\\"-whilc in colour and had a melting point of 52° C. ll has been suggested that hardened pilchard oil mighl 1wo,·e a suitable substitute. Quite recently business has been started in nuious fish oils, such as cod li\"Cr oil, with Canada, and it should be posi:;iblc to exten(I this trade, as lhcrc has been a large consumption of cod liver oil in :-.lcxico. Both the mcdirinn.l and commercial oils aJ"c used in this country. Ful'thcr, quilc recently business was also established inn medicinal blend of fi sh oils other lh a11 cod liver oil for lhcir vitamin value. hlPORT DUTl ES High rates of duty arc le\·icd on fish imported into :.\Iexico, rendering lhc cost to the consuming public too high. The following table shows the dutiC':-; on the rnrious lypcs of fish imported into .:.\-1cx ico :- P<•xos i>cr ]~ilo L<>~al " 'l· i~ltt Codfish. dril'.I. ~nltNI. smoked ...... • ...... 0.40 Cnvinr ...... 0. 70 Salmon. (Wl'>l'l'l'('tl. wrighing llll lo fi1·,. kilos. 1>ro1·itlcd the <·011tni11l'1° h<>a rs 11 1l esc-1·i11lion of the conl<-nts ...... 0.70 Sanlinc:;. J>r('st•1·1•1·1l. wei1d1i11!( 111> lo til"(~ kilos in tlw l'Outai11<>1-. wl1id1 mu~l hon 11 d<•stl'i pt ion of 1 he co11tc11 t>1 • • • • • • • . . • 0.70 F ish . snllcd. snwked, picklccl, n.o.p...... U.4U Fis h. p1·1•Hc 1·1·cd, n.o.p...... • . U.70 Sh<>llfish. dried. snlll'CI. smoked. 11.0.p. •.•• • ••.• • 0.40 Shellfish. pn•scrn•c l. 11.0.p...... 0.70 Slu·imp. d1·ic H. " '· BnrnHToX, CANADIAN TRADE Co:-.nnssTONER P anama, January 9, 1942.-The tcnitory coming under the jurisdiction of this office, namclv Nicnragua, Costa Rica, P anama, Colombia. Venezuela and the ~ctherlands West Indies, offer:o export outlets for the sale of Canadian fish of practicall~· all types except fresh frozen, but the principal demand is for canned salmon and sardines and dry salted codfish. Nicaragua, Cost. Rica a1id Panama each ha,•e a small local fishing industry, but so far as imports of fish are concerned these local industries arc of vcTy little importance. What fi sh is caught. finds a ready snle as fresh fish, the quantity available is limited, and therefore it ·has liWe effect on the quantities imported. The fi shing industry of Colombia docs a ffect. the imports of dry salted fish, howeYer. To a lesser degree so docs that of Venezuela. The extent of each market is limited, due to the comparntively low pur chasing power of the greater part of the population. This in turn means that the existing demand is not. for Lhe high-priced, high-qualjty product but rather for a good qun lity food product at a cheap price. 1 The big demand throughout these count.ries for imported fish is during Lent. when sales arc at least three time,: what they are during any other period FISH JltlARKETS IN '1'1-IE B.W.I. AND LATIN AMERICA 71 of 4,374,811 kilos valued at 2,139,645 bolivares (3·19 bolivares equals U.S.$1.00). Of this total, the United States supplied 3,141,025 kilos vatued at 1,298,151 bolivares, while Canada supplied only 23,638 kilos valued at 13,539 ·bolivares. Salmon follows sardines in importance among fish imports. In 1939 imports of salmon totalled 90,111 kilos valued· at 64,601 bolivares, the United States supplying 59,704 kilos valued at 52,202 bolivares and Canada 24,072 kilos valued at 9,295 bolivares. In the same year 12,467 kilos of herrings in oil or tomato sauce valued at 7,572 ·bolivares were imported. Of these imports 3,318 kilos valued at 2,937 bolivares were from the United States, 2,054 kilos valued at 1,542 bolivares from Holland, and 750 kilos valued at 801 bolivares from the United Kingdom. Germany, Italy, Norway and France supplied the remainder. CODFISH Although it h81S a fair~ized local fishing industry Venezuela does offer an outlet for Canadian dry Ralted codfish. However, as the imports indicate, there is ipractically no direct shipment from Canada, althougih undoubtedly much of that credited to the United States is of Canadian origin. In 1939, according to Vener,uelan statistics, 133,567 kilos of codfish valued at 82,145 bolivares were imported. The United States supplied 51,052 kilos va1ued at 31,868 bolivares, Holland 48,030 kilos valued at 36,680 bolivares, and Canada 533 kilos valued at 252 bolivares. This indicates that there is plenty of oipportunity for future development of codfish sales in Venezuela by Canadian exporters. Netherlands West Indies Although the Netherlands West Indies is a relatively small market from the point of view of populat.ion, it does offer sizeable opportunities for the sale of fish. The latest figures available am for 1939, when the island of Curacao imi)orted 523,977 kilos of "preserved" fish valued at 158,140 florins (187 florins equals U.S.$100.) Imports of "imlted or dried" fish amounted to 210,160 kilos valued at 66,865 florins, while "fresh and frozen" fish amounting to 10,420 kilos valued at 5,923 florins were also imported. The island of Aruba is smaller than Curacao hut it also offers a steady mM·ket. In 1939 imports of "preserved" fos:h amounted to 145,495 kilos valued at 64,167 florins and imports of "salted or dried" fish totalled 103,532 kiJos valued at 34,837 florins. Imports of "fresh and frozen" fish were approximately the same as for Curacao, namely, 10,038 kilos valued at 6,001 florins. Taken together, the Netherlands West Indies imported in 1939 a total of 20,458 kilos of "fresh and frozen" fi'Sh valued at 11,924 florins. Canada is not credited with supplying any in this category. Imports of "preserved" fish amounted to 669,372 kilos valued at 212,307 florins, of which Canada supplied 110,044 kilos valued at 33,459 florins. Imports of "salted or dried" fish amounted to 313,692 kilos valued at 101,702 florins, Canadian supplies of this item amount ing to 7,059 kilos valued at 2,260 florins, all of which was shipped to Curacao. While Canadian exporters did not obtain any laTge share of the business offering, it is therefore dear that possibili ties exist for development of increased trade in fish with the Netherlands West Indies. SUMMARY It will 'be o·bserved from the foregoing thnt, although individually the above countries do not offer large markets for imported fish, collectively they have definite possibilities for Canadian exporters, as and when the latter ·have supplies of .fish available. The Canadian Trnde Commissioner in Panama is in a position to recommend manufacturers' agents throughout the entire territory who are interested in obtaining sources of supply in Canada and who are relia:ble and --- 70 DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND COMMERCE, CANADll CANNED FtSH The California-type sardine, packed in tomato sauce and in an oval tin, is favoured over the smaller size usually packed in Eastern Canada, but there is a demand for the latter as well. Canned salmon finds some sale when the price is low. Panama CODFISH The Republic of Panama provides a steady market for codfish. M. in other countries, during Lent the consumption is mu~h higher than at other seasons but there is not the same fall in consumption after Lent. In 1939 Panama imported 539,233 kilos of dry salted codfish valued at 863,680. Of these imports the United States supplied 398,634 kilos valued at $49,479, Canada was second witJh 73,988 kilos valued at $71488 1 followed by the United Kingdom with 62,675 kilos valued at $6,192. In 1940 these three countries maintained the same relative positions, the United States supplying 344,130 kilos at $52,369; Canada 97,393 kilos valued at $12,404, and the United Kingdom 31,990 kilos valued at $3,926. The total imports amounted to 473,713 kilos valued at $68,699. OTHER FISH In the first six months of 1941 the Republic of Panama imported 131,236 kilos of sardines valued at $23,080, according to statistics just i5sued, but figures are not available for other classes of fish. It is estimated that the sale of sardines would be about three times that of salmon. Canadian brands are well established on this market for both salmon and sardines; but with former suppliers cut off, Canadian exporters could have obtained increased sal~s this year if they had been in a position to take advantage of the business offering. Colombia The imports of codfish into Colombia are not published separately but it is not expected that they would be la.rge. The fi shing industry is fairly well developed and locally caught fish are dried and salted. In addition, the industi-y is well protected ·by a •high tariff. Thern is a good market, however, for "fish preserved in oil or sauce", such as sardines, ·herrings and canned salmon. In 1940 Colombia imported under the above heading 831,392 kilos valued at 307,493 pesos (one p~o equals 63 cents), of which the United States supplied 655,970 kilos valued at 217,219 pesos, Canada 80,820 kilos valued at 30,907 pesos, Portugal 29,203 kilos valued at 15,439 pesos, and France 25,070 kilos valued at 11 ,653 pesos. While some Canadian exporters have found it possible to cater to this market there are opportunities for further development of export sales in canned fish products. Venezuela Like Colombia, Venezuela offers possibilities for Canadian fish exporters, particularly of canned fish. CANNED FISH Sardines is the principal t.ype of fish imported into Venezuela. The latest figures available are for 1939. During that year Ven~zuela imported a total FISH ilfAH[(E'J.'S JN 'l'f!E B.11".l. AND LA'l'fN AMEIUCA 73 inches in lrngth; the hake; the corvina (N ecropogon undulatits) and the pescadillo (Cynoscion areatus), both of which reach 20 mchcs in length; the caballa or mackerel; the lenguado; anchovy; rnle; pnl\rn ; and shrirnp. The pejerrey is chiefly in demand, but supplies are decreasing. However, the authorities are endeavouring to prevent any further reduction and have also impor ted Canadian trout and salmon, "·hich may adapt themselves to the cold waters of the southern Jakes. Local production easily meets requirements fo r human consumption and leaves a surplus for poultry feed. Imports of fresh fish are about 1 per cent of local production. The total value of the cal ch of both salt- and fresh-water fish in 1939 was about. 11 ,500,000 pesos, or al' Olll $3,800,000 Canadian. li\IPOR'l'S During; the years 19:18 to 1940 inclusive, imports of all fish, fresh or other wis:-, into Argentina from principal sources of supply, were as follows :- Argentine Imports of Fish 1038 1939 1940 Lb. Lb. Lb. Origin llening, smoked. . . 70,016 65,046 17,160 Norway, U.S. Herring, prescned . . . . 4,850 2,64.5 1,900 U.K., Sweden Hcl'ring. in brine .. 1,591,721 1,560,857 547,901' U.K., Holland Corlfish, whole . . . . . , .. 9,384,682 10,333,401 5,419,630 Nor way, Iceland, U.K. Codfish, cut ...... 556,44.l 492,067 180,081 Norway, U.K. Shrimps, dry...... , . 1,543 1,54.3 U.S. CaYiar ...... 7,716 3,527 1,648 Russia Lob$ler, Ji ve ...... CH,288 43,210 32,547 Chile Oysters, Pl'esen·cd ...... 982,811 245,592 705,437 Spain, U.S., J apan, Po1•tugal Oysters, fresh ...... 85,979 37,478 68,193 Chile, U .S., Portugal A nr;hovy paste . . . . 1,323 2,205 726 U.K. Fish. fresh . . . . 2,030,216 1,378,977 1,647,785 Portugal, J apan, U.S. F ish. canned ...... 520,947 '156,352 339,722 Portugal, F1•ance, Spain, Japan Fish, in brine . . • . . . 45!J,659 31,746 2'14,356 Portugal, Spain Stockfish...... 315,4 78 221,783 91,861 Norway . Sardines, in oil . . . . 5,430,812 3,336,000 4.695,913 Por t ugal, Spain, Norway, U .S. Total ...... 21,515,572 18,212,429 13,994,860 Codfish, sardines, fresh nsh and herrings in brine are the more important items of import, and European countries arc the main suppliers. CODFISH Before the conclusion of the Canada-Argentina trade agreement of October 2, 1941. Canada was handicapped to the extent of 20 per cent of the tariff rate applicable to imported codfish as compared with other supplying countries, and Norway was heavily subsidizing exports. Norway is QO longer a supplier to this market, but Canada's position has not been improved thereby. Norway and Scotland have ahrnys shipped codfish to Argentina in hermetically sealed tin boxes to protect the fish from heat and dampness during the long voyage and the period it is in storage before 'being released 'by the customs authorities. Canadian shippers have never adopted this method of packing ·because the ·increased ,cost wou ld widen the margin 1between their prices and tJhosc of their competitors. However, this is the only practicable method of shipping Canadian codfish to this market. Anot her factor adversely affecting sales of Canadian codfish to .Al·gentina is that between the fishing season in Canada and the·Lentcn period there is a considerable intcn1 al during which the fish must be kept in perfect condition. Two types of codfish arc imported, the ling (Scottish), averaging 36 inches in length and 11 inches at the widest point, and th~ Nol'\vegian type, averaging 24 inches. The ling is a dry salt fish, split, with fins and tajJ but \\"ithout bones, outer skin and head. The bulk of the Norwegian codfish is the ordinary dry salt cod of unifo rm size. The retail price of this fish is a'bout 72 DEl'JlR'l'Mt:i\"1' OF TRADE A.YD ('0.llMERCE, CA.VADA well connected with Lhe trade. The presenL siLuation in Canada is well U1ulcr stoocl, but should any exporter be in a posiLion to cater to this territory he is invited to so ad vise this office. As shipments from Eastern Canada to this area must be made through the port of New York, in order to be able to meet existing competition, it would be well to consider the whole territory as one unit. In this way it would be possible to arrange carload shipments to New York and thus effect a considernble saving in freight, which might just make the difference between meeting price competition and not being able to do so. ARGENTINA J. C. DEPOCAS, Ass1s1'AN'l' C0Mll1Enc1AL ATTACHE Buenos Aires, Febrnary 3, 1942.-For several reasons the per capita con sumption of fish in Argentina is probably the lowest of all countries. Chief among these is the low price and high quality of meat, which is available in quantity to all classes of the population who for the most part have never had an opportumty of cultivating a taste for fish or of appreciating its food value. Moreover, the price of fish in Argentina is high-codfish cosls about four times as much as meatr---which makes it a lm..i.n·y rather than a poor man's food as in some other countries. Friday is not regarded as a fish day by the majority of the population except in the Lenten season, and the con sumption of fish during this period is more a tradition than the observance of a regulation. There is an almost total lack of effort towards increasing the consumption of fish by means of posters, newspaper advertisements, circulars, or other publicity methods. Fish consumption is therefore limited to the high income group, tourists, the patrons of first-class restaurants and hotels, and re.cent immigranls who in most cases eventually adapt themselves to the use of Argentine foods. Fish i:< used as an hors d'a.·mTes or as an cntrfo, but Yery l:eldom conslitutes the main course of a meal, even of a light lunch. For n'liddle-class purchasers the use of fish is limited to an occasional meal, and the annual a,·erage per capita consumption is about ten pounds. Buenos Aires and the other large cities are the consuming centres for fish, its use being practicnlly negligible in the interior. At Mar de! Plata, centre of the Argentine sea fisheries, there is some demand during the summer season for fresh fish at a fair price, mosLly from foreigners. To meet the limited demand, Argentina relies on domestic supplies and imports, of which only 10 per cent is fresh fish. The local sea-fishing industry is still of mino1· importance. There are good fishing grounds with promising catches, but development is slow and will remain so so long as retail prices of fish continue at the present high level as compared with the price of meat and the value of the catches and the returns to the fishermen. The high retail prices reduce the demand, while it is only with government help that the fi sherman can carry on during the period of development. There is some inland fishu1g in the southern lakes. Production for human consumption increased from 12 ·5 million pounds in 1920 (the first year for which statistics are available) to 42 mi llion in 1939. There was nn additional production of 32 million pounds of "sa:balos," from wh icll an inclust.rinl oil is extracted. · T he production of salt-water fish during the same period increased from 36 million to 76 million pounds, bringing total production to 119 million pounds during 1939. Among the fresh-water fish taken. are the pejerrey, the pati, the surubi and the shad. Salt-'IYater fish include thei pejerrey (Basilicathys boruu-ien.~es). which is unknown outside of South Ameri((a and mny attain 27 T FISH MARICE'l'S I N THE B.lV.I . .AND LA'l'IN Ai\l!ERICA 75 while imporbers of Canadian fish will be granted exchange permits only when they ·have :purchased the necessary exchange at the auction market; the usual rate paid •by the successful bidder is about 5 pesos to the United States dollar. As Icelandic exporters accept payment in sterling, they enjoy a certain measure of preference. I mporters are not accorded the benefit of the first or second official rate of exchange on purchases of any kind of fish from Canada; all imports must •be paid for at the auction rate. MARKET PROSPECTS It is a matter of regret that, owing to lack of availwble supplies, Canada cannot take advantage of the withdrawal from this market of her competitors, as any sales during the wartime period would at least result in Canadian products becoming known or better known to Argentine consumers. But even if a surplus were available for export, there is always the possibility that Argentina may have to alter her exchange regulations to exclude imports of foodstuffs, either because A·rgentine exchange would have to be used for other purposes or in order to give priority to essentials. So far as Argentina is concerned, food, and particularly fish, is not an essential item of import. But, even were it possible to arrange for regular shipments of fish, there is nothing to warrant an esta·blished market for Canadian sardines, for instance, introduced when former suppliers are in no .position to export. Many wartime opportunities will disappear ·with the conclusion of hostilities, and the trade in many products will revert to its former status. Spain formerly 1bought a minimum of 85 per 1cent of her wheat requirements from Argentina when sardines and olive oil were the ·chief items exported to this country. In 1941 a contract was signed calling for the delivery of 380,000 tons of wheat and 3,000 tons of meat for 35,000,000 pesos, payable in tiYe years at 3J, per cent interest. There is no doubt that at the first opportunity Argentina will again favour trade with Spain. BRAZIL L. S. GLASS, CANADIAN Co11n'!ERCIAL ATTACHE (The Brazilian mj\reis (1,000 reis) equals 5·69 cents Canadian at current rate of exchange; one conto of reis equals 1,000 milreis; one kilo equals 2·204 pounds; one metric ton (1,000 kilos) equals 2,204 pounds.) Rio de Janeirn, January 21, 1942.-The fishing industry of Brazil is undeveloped, although the coastal and inland waters abound in unnumbered varieties of edible fish. Of those found in the Amazon river alone, 1,800 species have been classified. Statistica,l details of the industry are extremely meagre, but in 1938 a totaJ of 31,283 boats of every description, from canoes to motor seiners, were registered as being used for fishing throughout the territorial waters of Brazil. For some years Rio de Janeiro has maintained a fish entrepot through which the greater part of the fish caught in local waters enters the market for consumption. The following talble indicates the volume and value of fish passing through this entrepot. Tons Contos of Reis Dollars 1934 ...... • 3,807 16,747 1,390,000 1935 .•...... •..•.. 8,971 17,955 1,120,000 1936 ...... • ...... •• 15,942 22,255 1,490.000 1937 ...... 15,649 23,830 J,475.000 1938 ...... 1(),275 26,658 1,515,000 The Brazilian Government has for some years encouraged the development of the fishing industry and is endeavouring to promote greater use of Brazilian fish, not only in the fresh state but also preserved in various ways such as .JI 74 DEPAR'l'J\l EN'l' OF 'l'R ADE AND COMMERCE, CAN ADA 4 pesos per kilo (of 2 · 2 pounds), while that of good-quality meat is one peso per kilo. . Only the ·highest grade of codfish is imported; there is no demand for small fish as in Northern Brazil and the West Indies. For Argentina the fish must be selected, and Canadian exporters who have studied this market are convinced that it would not •be practicable to grade out a sufficient quantity of high-class fish for sale to Argentina, as it would lower the average quality left for other markets. I t is only since J anuary last that the Argentine Government has authorized imports of codfish from North America. SARDINES Sa rdine~ were practically a monopoly of Span i ~h suppliers up to 1938 when Spain was the source of 98 per cent of all imports. In 1939 Spain's share wns only 25 per cent of total imports, Belgium and French African colonies accounted for 20 per cent each, Norway for 11 per cent, the United States for 10 per cent, and Portugal for 6 per cent. In 1940 the imports from Belgium and Norway were suspended and the shares of these countries in the trade were taken o,·er by Portugal, wnich1 supplied to the extent of 80 per cent. Portugal was in an exceptionally favourable position to supply the Argentine market, ·having ample stocks on hand on account of t he closing of other markets and of being able to supply a tbrand similar to the Spanish. In addition, Portugal had no difficulty with pm·chases of tinplate for •packing. Importers in Argentina are now looking to Canada, as there are indications that Portugal may have to withdraw from this market. Inquiries have been submitted to Canadian exporters but without success. In normal times it would require an intensive advertising campaign to esta:blish a Canadian 'brand of sardines on tJh is market, but at present, in the absence of competition from the products of other countries, they WO\lld •be given a trial. FnF.SH F1su . Imports of fresh fish are expected to cease in the event of a reasonable improvement in the local fishing industry. In the meantime lack of shipping space will probably result in the suspension of imports. There is also an opportunity for sales of Canadian herrings in brine. During the fall of 1941 a trial Ol'der was placed with a British Columbian fil'm, and delivery was effected in goo~ ,condition. A l.ittle later a larger ord~r was placed, and, at the request of the importer, t he slnpment was effeclied without 'benefit of refrigeration, the fish being placed in the centre of the iboat at a depth ·below the water-line. These fish were delivered in good condition. As this importer is assured of a market among Germans, Russians, Rumanians, etc., he is of the opinion that he can maintain a steady business with Canada whether or not refrigeration is available in the carrying ship, since t~e second shipment reached Buenos Aires on January 2, in the summer season. The same dealer occasionally imports smoked salmon from Canada. Other fish, such as frozen 'halibut and salmon, were imported before 19381 when exchange regulations were .put into force; since July, 19411 relaxation of these regulations 1has again favoured imports, 'but refrigerated shipping i;pace is not availaible. EXCHANGE REGULATIONS As stated a:bove1 by t he terms of the Argentina-Canada trade agl'eement most-favoured-nation treatment is extended to the D ominion with respect to tariffs, but exchange regulations place Canada and other countries in the dollar area in an unfavourable position as compared with coup tries in the sterling area. Remittances for fish imports from the United Kingdom and Iceland are converted at the equivalent rate of 4 ·22 pesos to the Bnited States dollar, FISH MAJUO!J'l'S I N THE B.IV.l. AND LA'l'IN AMERICA 77 F'nEsH FISH Although, as mentioned above, there is a wide Yariety and an unlimited supply of fish in Brazilian waters, there is a steady but comparatively unimportant, from the national point of view, demand for imported fresh frozen fish, clue to the fact that certain fish caught in northern waters are not found in Brazil. Sales are limited to these types and constitute pmely a luxury trade. The most important items are frozen fillets of sole, salmon, and small quantities of cod and haddock, and Rio de Janeiro offers the only outlet. Poor transportation and refrigeration facilities, coupled with the fact that the bulk of that part of the population, permanent or transient, in a position to pay the high prices demanded for such luxuries is centred in the Capital, exclude other centres from 1being profitable markets. Imports of frozen fish are included under the general classification of "preserved fish not otherwise classified," and separate import staList.ies are, t herefore, not available. DRIED SALTED FISH Price and keeping qualities are important factors affecting sales of fish in Brazil. The various types of dry cured fish most adequately meet requirements and find a ready market. Efforts have been made to cure fish caught locally, but so far without success. For all fish cured similarly to codfish t he generic term "bacalhau", which really me3!ns codfish, is used. Bacalha u, which might be termed the staple imported food of Brazil, is consumed alike by rich and poor, but those in the lower income groups consume 90 per cent of the supplies. Price variations have an important influence on purchases. The greatest competitor to bacalhau is xarque (pronounced sharky), which is dried beef. Mutton and pork are also available in this form but do not influence the sale of ·bacalhau as does dried •beef. When the price of xarque is low, fish imports decline; when it is high or there is a scarcity, the converse is true. A second factor which seriously effects the consumption of codfish is the relati,•e cost and abundance of olive oil. Although dried fish is prepared for the table in several different. ways, the bulk of it is cooked in olive oil or served with oil. A shortage of oil or an increase in price is always reflected in codfish consumption. IMPORTS An examination of import statistics over the past twenty years shows a steady increase in volume and value up to 1928 when 41 ,103 tons valued at $9,704,000 were imported. It was during this period that coffee prices were high and money was plentiful. Following the slump in coffee returns and the world economic crisis, money became scarce among the mass of the population of Brazil, with the result codfish was beyond Lhe purchasing power of many. The !bulk of the imports was consistently from the United Kingdom and Newfoundland. Canada and Norway supplying the greater part of the remainder. In 1935 Iceland began to ship to Brazil and within a year bad assumed a position equal in importance to Norway's. Brazil may 'be divided into three main marketing centres; the north, served by the ports of Recife, Baia and )facei6; the central, sen·ccl by Rio de Janeiro; and Sao Paulo, served through Santos. The northern area has always been the stronghold of Newfoundland fishermen, who have been accustomed to trading with these Brazilian ports by schooner. A certain amount of United Kingdom and Norwegian fish also found its way to these ports, but tho 1bulk of these shipments usually entered through Rio de Janeiro or Santos. Rio de Janeiro has always been primarily a United Kingdom market, and when a few years ago the Ji 76 f)F;f>AH'l'MgN'I' OF TRADE AND CO.lfMERCE, CANADA canned, smoked, dried , salted, and pickled . This has been carried out 'by research, publicity and direct a id to fi shermen. In Rio de Janeiro a new entrepot has just been established which is equipped with the most modern freezing and refri~eration apparatus. Funds for this work are obtained from the super tax of 300 reis per kilo levied on a ll imported fish products. Brazil has a populnlion of some 43 millions but, as average purchasing power is extremely low, the price factor is of paramount importance. Brazil is prl'dom in an LI~· C!lt hnl i<" \\'h irh tends to increase fish consumption, particularly during those seasons \\'hen the use of meat is restricted. Climatic conditions may also haYe a tcndenc~1 lo increase the consumption of fish, although Brazilians arc he!l\· ~· consumers of mcnt. In 1938 the; production of meat totalled 1,182,887 metric tons, of which 80,180 tons were exported. D omestic eonsumpt,ion was therefore approximately 1,102,700 ton~, or 56 .pounds per capita. Climatic conditions adversely alTcct the consumption of fi sh, since tropical or semi-tropical temperatures prevail t,hroughout the grcatrr pnrt of Brazil, and refrigeration is not yet generally in use. D UTI ES 0)1 FISH ,\)ID F ISH PRODUCTS Under a Trade Agl'erment between Canncla and Bl'azil, signed October 17 1941 Canada and Brazil exchange most-favoured-nation treatment in tariff matters. Canada is, consequently, accordrd any conventional rates of duty in force in Brazil or, where no conventional rate is indicated, the minimum tariff'. Duties on fish and fish products imported in to Bl'azil al'e as follows:- (l !'llCl'O I )[inimum Conve11Lio11a l 'J.'nriff Tariff 1'nl'i IT l\Iilreis Milreis Milreis Fi.-h, frci:;h by r c frigcrnting 01· any otl1er proccR!I per kilo 0.90 0.70 C'od :\lie! 1millw: Dried nncl i;n ll'CI. with hones . . . . per metric ton 5;'i0.0 440.0 Dried nncl salted, boned ...... per kilo 0.90 0.70 Any other dry salt fish , nllll salted or picldcd fish per kilo 1.40 1.10 Fish. p1·cscn·Nl b~· nny other proce~s: Salmon ...... per kilo 9.60 7.80 3.12 Sardines. sp1nt~. ln·islings and other small fish, and hc1·r 11!{8 •••••••••••• .••• Jll'I' kilo 4. 00 !l.20 3. 12 Any olhc1· kinils ...... per kilo 9.60 7.80 f;hellfish and mollus«s: Fresh by rcf1·igcmti11g 01· other process .. pc1· kilo 1.40 1.10 Snit or in brine ...... 1 1cr kil<> :LOO 1.60 Presen•ed b~· nny oLhcr mcLhod of prepnratio11 per kilo 10.20 8.30 C'od Ji,·er 01· fish li\'t'I' oi l ...... per kilo 5.20 4.20 Roes: Fresh b~· r!'f1 i)!crnlion 01· other proce~s. in brine. snltetl or ~moked ...... 11er kilo .? .00 1.60 Preser\•ccl b~· nn~· other process ...... per kilo 1'.LSO 10.40 Fi~h glue ...... per kilo G.40 5.20 1n addition to the duties quoted aboYc, the follo\\'ing extra rh:ngc:-c npply on imports in lo lll'azil :- Surtnx ...... , .. 10% of cluty Rocial wclfnr<' tni:: ...... 2% 11d vn lorcm" Ji:xchanl!" tax ...... ·...... 5% ncl \•n lo1·r111 Special tax on nil nrticl<'s, a limentary or not, ol'igi11nti111( from fish ...... 0.30 milrcis per kilo* ('onsumption tnx: Dried codfish nncl olhcr similar fish , s1wh 1111 hnkc, ~nithc. pollock. etc...... 0.20 milrei" p<'1' kilo Other p1·cscr,ed fish and shellfish ...... O.':lO milreis Jll'l' kilo .. Goocl!< imporl<•cl 111uh•r l'Cll1\'Cnlional rntes of cluty n1·t• not i PACKING The standai·d pack for the Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo markets is in cases of 58 kilos net and half-cases of 29 kilos net. The northern market is accuslomcd to the barrel and half-barrel and, in order to facilitate inland transportation, this package is most convenient. :Mechanized tmnsportation is not well developed, and the barrels arc easily transported by tying one on either side of a mule. In the south, however, the case is prefened, as it is easier to sto1;e and transport by truck or rail. However, some barrels are imported. Recently bales have been used but they are not well receiYcd. In the north the Newfoundland method of grading is customary but the southern markets are accustomed to the standard Norwegian grades as follows: Extra Porto, 20 to 22 fish of 2 ki los upward per full ·case; Porto, 24 to 28 fi sh of 2 kilos upward per full case; Imperial, each fish of 65 to 80 ems. weighing up to 2 kilos; Imperial i\fodium, each fish of 55 lo 65 ems.; Imperial Small, each fish of 55 ems.; Regular, each fish of 65 to 75 ems. or more and up to 2 kilos; Regular Medium, each fish of 65 ems. A certain amount of 1boneless cod or cod fillets is imported but, owing to the high duties, this is purely a luxmy article, and there is only a small outlet for it through specialty dealers and the better-class hotels, restaurants and clubs. Before the outbreak of war Portugal ".Vas the only source of supply for fi llets of cod, •but during the past eighteen months Canada has been meeting a greater proportion of the requirements of the market. OTHER SALT, PICKLED OR S:\IOKED FISH Codfish or bacalhau accounts for practically the whole of the imports of fish of this type, so far as bulk trade is concerned. There are, however, regular but small sales of other types of fish. Haddock-Through specif1.lty shops, catering chiefly to the English-speaking population, there is a steady demand for smoked haddock or finnan haddie. The Scottish packers have heretofore monopolized the sales but, owing to trans portation difficulties, Canadian shippers have been afforded an opportunity of supplying the market. The resu:ts have been very satisfactory, and it is expected that the demand for Canadian fish will continue. Saimon.-Tbere is a small market in Brazil for smoked salmon, filleted for use as hors cl'muvrc. This again is pllrcly a luxury trade throllgh a few specialty outlets in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo to meet a demand from the weathier classes and hotels, restaurants and clups. IIerrings.-Kippered herrings find a ready market in small quantities throughout the year, particularly among European and North Americans. Kippers should be well smoked, of large size and 9 inches and upward in length. Small fish are practically unsalable. The sale of pickled herrings is largely confined to the Jewish colony. This is a very small trade, and supplies are as a rule obtained from Portugal. There is little or no demand for other fish. A few cases of· smoked eels may be imported each year but, as a rule, purchases arc made through merchant houses in New York and the United Kingdom or on the Continent. 78 DEPARTMENT Ofi' TRADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA Newfoundland shi1Ppcrs endeavoured to 1brcak into it, they found great difficulty in overcoming (and never did entirely) the deep-rooted prejudice in favour of the British, and later the Icelandic, hard white cure. Silo Paulo, on the other hand, proba:bly because of its large Italian population, has always shown a preference for the milder, softer and darker cured Canadian and Norwegian fish. Norwegian fish was sold on the Rio market, but only in relatively small quantities and to special houses. Newfoundland fish found a ready market in Silo Paulo. Canadian fish has always been known on this market, but the bulk of Lhe imports have found their way into Sao Paulo for the reason given above. Canadian fish is, 1however, almost inevitably higher price rn21 In30 1033 !036 1937 l93S 1039 1 n~o )[.Tons )I. Toi" :\I. Ton~ )I. Tons )I. Ton' )[. Tr>n< )I. Ttm< )I. Tons Tolnl ...... •..... 17.820 3.U82 17.13$ 22.935 21.069 15.3H 16.117 10.121 l"oilrcl Srn1r< ...... 562 256 402 7 21 ...... 12 3.1 Gren\ Britnin . . • . . . • • • . . . 970 10.373 3,811 4.S?S 6506 4.578 3.SM 2.182 Non,·n~· ...... 2A32 6,H8 1 .0~1 1.631 2.131 5~1 1.525 655 Cannda ...... 4,277 1.000 62 tn3 i53 481 301 2'I l\ewloundland ...... 9.367 15 ,418 !0,308 14,968 J0.339 7.405 7,718 11.000 Fraru·c ...... , ..... ······ 78~ II 12 ...... Jcclnnd ...... 377 714 1.230 1.129 2.2.•o 2,72R 1.934 Jnpan ...... 2 6 14 45 .; IS 8 Pnr111~i1I •.••••.•.• •• ·• •• ...... 0 41 23 9 •I 6 2 Denmark . ... •...... •...... 2 IO 90 i3 Brozilian Imvorts of Codfish l>y 'rrahte 1921 1930 1935 IQ36 1937 1 ~::s 1939 tn40 s $ s s ~ s $ s Total ...... 33.002,217 69,001.862 2.ISl.705 2.894,335 3,173.Siio 2,211 •.;ss 2.122.102 2.2n.96t t.:nittd ~t it,-...... l.02S.3.~0 393.263 81.000 832 3.3S9 ...... 1.4~0 5.SlO Croat llri1nin ...... •...• 2 678.ICI 2!.927.073 000,000 713 6~7 1 ,027.4 ~S ii2.l!OO 61'8.312 3~1:.;39 X on\'tl)' ...... 5.3~4.796 12,009.723 2~5.000 215.528 :1.11.m; 103 250 211.391 102.731 Conodn ...... •...... S.Si7,971 2.862.279 7,400 23,005 107.732 07 .8CO 35.00·1 35.014 Kewfoundlaml ...... •..... 16,SG9,l37 2S.159.S63 1,150,000 1.CS-;.442 1.403,<130 989.000 SS9,3;i6 1.177.324 l;rtlnr.-...... UIS,023 2,500 1.1187 ...... kclnud ...... ••...... 717,0 11 IO·l,000 181 .'ISD 171 .0SO 330.flOO ao1.m 2S.UG3 .Jnpnu ...... · · ...... 0.989 000 2,IOS G.OOS 000 2.UN 1.012 l' ortu~nl ...... 16.803 0,400 5,0S6 3.562 1,7aS l ,032 i02 J)ll'IU J~1 rk , • . • . • .• • • • . • • ...... 425 I.IOI 1 :.s;,o 11,290 CURREKT ~lARKET CONDI'rto~s At present bacalhau is scarce, and prices are high. This has combined to reduce imports to a very low leYel. For the period J anuarr to November, 1941, imports totalled 51131 tons Yalued at 20,693 conlos of rcis as against 14,170 tons valued at 39,564 contos of reis during the same period of 1940. The unit Yalue in 1940 was 2 ·790 milrcis µer kilo; in 1941 this increased to 4·060 milreis per kilo. This increased price resulted in the elimination of a large number of the marginal consumers, but there is still a considerable and only partially satisfied demand at the high prices iprevailing. Most recent quotations work .out at approximately 5·880 mil rcis per kilo. MARKET PllEPER!O:XCES As stated previously, the term "bacalhau" is applied to all dry salt fish. Brazilians prefer codfish but, as cod is a more expensive fish than hake or pollock, the former is more of a luxury article and is only consumea:by the more well-to-do middle and wealthy classes. There is a steady year-rouqd sale for cod lo meet • FIST! MARKETS IN THE B.W.I. A ND LATIN AMERI CA 81 Canadian lobsters are far too expensive to 'be sold in Brazil. The only sales of this class of product are of Japanese crab, and it is quite possible that the greater percentage of the imports from Japan were made up of crab. On the other hand, however, with the very large Japanese colony in the State of Siio Paulo, it is likely that a large percentage of Lhcse imports consislecl of national J apanese fish foods brought in by the Japanese. FISH PRODUCTS Fish Oils.-Brazilian statistics do not separately classify fi sh oils tbut. group them under the •heacting "animal oils". There is, however, a marked demand for medicinal cod liver oil. The oil should be clear st.raw yellow in colour and should have a vitamin content of 2,000 international units vitamin A and 100 units ,·itamin D per gram. Attempts have been made to introduce other medicinal fish oils, such as halibut, •but without any marked success to date. Cod liver oil has been adver tised in Brazil, and the difficulty in educating the people to accept another oil as a substitute is extremely great. Coupled ·with this is the fact that cod liver oil has been plentiful up to the present, and no difficulty has been experience! in obtaining necessary supplies. Other Fish Products.-There is no demand for other fish products, such as offal and fish meal, either for stock feeding or fertilizers. BOLIVIA, CHILE, ECUADOR, AND PERU w. G. STARK, ASSISTANT TRADE COM:IIJSSIONER Lima, April 6, 1942.- There is a market for limited quantities of canned fish in the four countries included in the territory cqvered by this office, provided prices are competitive with those of similar United States products. If dried fish could be offered by Canadian exporters in sealed containers, possibilities exist for the initiation of considerable business, particularly in codfish. Since fish shipments from Canada must be routed through the tropics and since refrigeration facilities are at present inadequate, fresh frozen, salted or dried fish packed in ordinary wooden containers is not salable in these markets. In addition, Ecuador, Peru and Chile have extensive coastlines off which there are abundant supplies of most varieties of salt-water fish. F ollowing is a review of market conditions in the individual countries. Bolivia (One bolivinno equals approximately 36 cents Cnnadinn; one kilo equnls 2·2 pounds.) FRESH, FROZEN, DRIED AND SALTED FISH Bolivia, being an inland country, is more dependent on imports than Peru, Ecuador or Chile. It is unlikely that dried or salted Canadian fish would withstand the long voyage through the tropics and the haul 'by rail into Bolivia but, according to the 1939 trade returns, 5 · 7 tons of salted fish from the Dominion, valued at approximately $684, entered this country. The value seems low in proportion, and no fu1ther details are available. I t is doubtful, however, whether any but airtight containers would be suitable for packing shipments to Bolivia. The following tables show imports of dried and salted fish in 1939, the latest year for which figures are n.vailable. 80 DEPARTMENT OP 'l'RADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA CANNED AND PRESERVED FISH Until the year 1924 all types of fish, with the exception of bacalhau, was classified in the Brazilian trade returns under the general heading "fish and nsh products". Beginning in 1925 the figures for sardines, the most important single item among fish imports with the exception of bacalhau, were shown separately. An average of 300 tons of sardines is imported annually. IMPORTS The following tables show. by volume and value, the imporls of canned fish by p rincipal countries of supply for t he years 1930 and 1935' to 1940 :- Brazilian Imports of Cannecl Fish by T1 olume 1930 1935 1036 1937 1038 1930 l!l40 M. Tons :J\I. Tons M. Tons i\I. 'l'ons M.'l'ons i\L Tons i\I. Tons Totnl ...... 623 543 823 773 385 416 231 United Stutes ...... 21 9 Jl Jl 2 3 12 Ji'rnncc...... 4 2 6 4 3 2 Great Dr itnin ...... 101 ...... Srmin ...... 220 Ill 130 11 Jl Jnpnn ...... 25 2 13 s 6 23 Norwny ... : ... . 5 1 5 l 2 Portugal .. II 422 667 730 360 393 104 Bmzilicm bnvorts of Cannecl Fish by T1alue l!l30 l!l35 1936 1937 1038 11J30 1910 $ $ s $ $ s s Totnl...... l.Oil,356 203.170 316.639 290,lliG 168,524 1H.Ofl3 1011.22 1 Unilccl Stntcs . . . 156.470 1.350 1.512 1.864 4114 6:l l 2.429 France ...... 40,263 2.474 5,173 2,835 1,521 1,742 Orcnt Dritnin...... 354,957 Spnin ...... 536.4()3 41.900 51.435 6,081 3.llfl4 Japan ...... 154.211 ...... HG 2.630 l.645 1.608 7,815 Xorway...... 9,iH 920 3.342 1,012 1.100 Porlugnl ...... 79,842 159,000 25-!.i59 273.795 162,400 167.500 04.206 It will be noted in the foregoing tables that Portugal has been the source of the bulk of the imports, the Portuguese type of fish being prcfcnccl in this market. The fish arc usually packed in pure olive oil or n. mixture of olive and pc:inut oil, in the propo1·tion of 70 to 30. Capacities of tins are i;, t, -~ nncl 1 pound, the t-pound and !-pound tins being in greatest demand. The :\--pound tin usually contains approximately six fish and the ~-pound tin twrlvc fi sh. One hundred tins arc packed to a case, and should be keyed, although it is not necessary to have a key attached to each can i it is the usual prnctice to include about thirty five keys in each case. Thrre lurn been n. steady decline in imports of "oLher prcscrYcd fish." The peak year for imports was 1925 when 817 tons valued at $356,000 were impo1-ted, decreasing to 73 tons valued at $34,000 in 1940. Under this heading arc included such fish as canned salmon, lobster, craib, and herrings. It. also includes the fancier µroclucts, such as anchovies, of which imports arc fairly heavy, fish pastes and other fish preparations for canapes, etc. Canned salmon is, of course, of the most inlerest to Canada. Some indication of the size of the market is provided by the fi?;lll'e for the Yaluc of imports from the United States, which for 1938, was S8.730. Even if lhis represented all salmon, it would still indicate a small market. However. there are also included under this heading; California sardines, pilchards and other fish products that are imported in small quantities from the large packing compnnies. One of the objectives of the Brazilian-American trade agrcC>ment was the development of the Brazilian market for canned salmon, and tariff concessions were grnnted for salmon from the United States. There was a slight ~ncrca sc. in imports Rttbr:equcnt lo the signing of this agreement, but in 1940 the tdlal value of imports of all preserved fish was $7,268. "• F!BH MARKETS JN 'l'HE B.W.l. AND LA'l'lN AMERICA 83 Bolivian Imports of Fish Pastes 1"n 1939 Kilos Bolivia nos Total ...... 457 ii48 Jnpnn ...... 293 293 United Kingdom . . . • . • ...... !J7 120 l~rancc ...... 58 iO Gcrman.r ...... !J 65 Bolivian Imports of Anchovies in 1939 · Kilos Bolil'ianos Total ...... · · 5.340 Ital.1· ...... 10,0f.l l 2,209 4.408 t"nitc•d States ...... 1.3:10 2.592 Ponui:.:al ...... ':)35 U!OI '(;n itcd Kingdom ...... •.. :JSCJ il46 A1'gcnLinn ...... •. .. .. lCJO l7;) Chile ...... 113 ~68 France ...... (l;l lOS Spain ...... 39 12{ Bolivian bnvorts of Caviar in 1939 Kilos Boli1·ianos Tota I ...... • ...... i96 9,20$ United Kingdom ...... , ...... 33'1 4.800 l'nited States ...... • . . . 21)5 1,704 Germ1my ...... 131 2.CJ07 Chile ...... 35 168 A limited sale of Canadian dried and salted fi sh in airtight containers and of general lines of canned fish, partieularly sardines, may be possib le if United States competition can be met. Foreign exchange is freely available at present to meet commercial transactions, and this situation may •be expected to continue as long as Bolivian tin, the chief export product, is in good demand. There is no domestic fishing industry of any importance in the country, and the improving economic position of Bolivia will doubtless bring a·bout a greater demand for imported fish. The lower-priced grades would sell most readily. . Chile (One Chilean peso equals approximutel.v 12 ce11ts Cnnaclinn; one kilo equals 2·2 pounds.) FHESH, FROZEN, DRIED, SAL'tED FISH Prospects for sales of these ty.pes of Canadian fish are unfavourable. In addition to the difficul ties presented by the lack of adequate transportation facilities and an abundance of domestic supplies of fresh fish, Chile has been endeavouring to stimulate the national fishing industry, and it is improbable that foreign exchange would be made available for imports. CANNED FISH The ·Chilean Exchange Conbrol Commission has taken the stand that canned fish is a l ~t xury, and it is therefore difficult to obtain the necessary permits for its importation. Importr,; of the various items of canned fish in 1939, the last year for which statistics are availa1ble, were as follows :- Chilea.n Imports of Preserves of Fish a11d Shellfish in 1939 Kilos P e ~os Total ...... 10.542 23.464 Germany ...... • ...... 698 2,041 Denmark ...... • ...... 236 453 Spain ...... 300 695 United States ...... •. 363 1,109 Frnuce ...... 457 1,469 Great Britain ...... 1,084 Holland ...... • ... , ... . 1,758 91 00 Italy ...... • ...... 2,204 7,128 Japan ...... •• ...... 98 220 Norll'a.r . . • . . • ...... 260 }78 Portugal ...... • 2,804 4,727 Sweden ...... 3()2 535 Yugosl:ll'ia ...... 1,520 3,075 ·-:y 82 DEPAR'l'.\JEN1' OF 'l'RADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA Bolivicm Imports of Dried Fish in 1989 Kilos Boliv)nnos Totnl ...... ,...... 26,913 13,539 Xorwny ...... 12,739 6,307 Germany ...... 8,452 3,306 ArgcntiHO...... 2,435 1,087 Denmnrk ...... 2,136 1,61'3 t.:nilcd Stntes ...... • ...... 315 205 Belgium ...... 285 6i4 Jnpnn ...... 198 123 Brnzil ...... 19.i 60 uuilcd Kingdom ...... 121 99 Hollnnd ...... ~3 40 Bolivian Imports of Sciltecl and Pressed Fish in 1939 Kilos Bolivinnos Total ...... · · .. · · 153,183 65.206 United States ...... 70.072 :!i,l16 Ch ile ...... '. . . . . • ... .. 38,1136 13.!'74 Jnpnn ...... · ... . 27.807 J0,()57 Cnnndn ...... 5,714 l,8!H Germany ...... 2,397 2.714 l'C'l'll ...... 2,33:3 l.1 ll United Kingdom ...... 2,001 2,791 Portugal ...... 1,610 J,839 ll'1·a11te . • ...... 1,057 l,435 Brnzil ...... 902 ·l6(i .Argcutinn ...... - ...... 338 566 Spain ...... 236 •JO!I Ind in ...... 99 so Itnb· ...... · .. · . · .. . . · · · · 65 112 Hollnnd ...... 24 30 CANNED FtSH Chief imports of canned fish into Bolivia arc of sardines. Total arrivals in 1939 we re valued at almost $36,000, Japan being credited with approximately 810,700 worth and the United States with $10,000. The total value of other imports of canned fish amounted to slightly more than $6,000, although it is estimated that the present demand ·would exceed that figure. In addition there were some small imports of fish paste, $3,300 worth of caviar, and $3,600 worth of anchovies. ' Details of imports of canned fish in 1939 are shown in the following tables:- Bolivian Imports of Sardines in Oil or 'Poma.to Sauce in 1939 Kilos DoJi,·ianos Total ...... -...... 337, IO(l Oll.:151 Jn pun ...... 135.~62 :.W,754 Uni led Stales ...... 86,968 27.949 Chile ...... 50,740 10.0;;2 Gcrmauy ...... 21.420 s;223 I'cn1 ...... 13:555 2,530 Portugal .•...... i2;001 i.S32 ~Ol'Way ...... , 9,728 0.228 Uni led Kingdom ...... 2,7 18 3.!ll !l Dclgilm1 ...... 2.530 1.460 0 Brnzil ...... 83! 968 fu>t1in .. . . , ...... 104 105 Ilollnnd ...... 20 56 }?l'ance ...... 19 35 . Bolivian Imports of Ccinnecl Fish in Genernl in 1939 KiloR DoJi,·ianos Total ...... 13,222 li,095 United Stntcs ...... 10,028 12,595 United Kingdom ...... l_,362 3,625 ,Tnpnn ...... • 048 1,277 Chile ...... 138 187 Gcrnrnny ...... , 85 220 Argcnti11n ...... • 31 79 PC'ru ...... 30 12 FISH ·MARKETS JN THE B.TV.I. AND LATIN AJ'v!ERICA 85 Preliminary customs figures for 1940 showed total sardine arrivals as 270 tons ($36,000). This is only 50 per cent of the amount recorded for 1939, but it is estimated that there was an increase in 1941. MARKE71' PROSPECTS Sales of Canadian canned fish in this market will depend on the success with which competition can •be met from the United States. The limits of the market are indicated by the import figures. The buying power of the native population is low, and sales are restricted accordingly. In the past certain amounts of salmon have entered· Ecuador, but sales are principally of sardines. Peru (OnE' Per.uvian sol equals l?' · 1 cents CanadiaTu; one .metric ton equais 2,205 poundts; one kilo equals 2·2 pounds.) FRI!l5E F ISH Fresh fish is availaible in the waters all along the Peruvian coast, and any periodic shortages on local markets result from lack of distribution facilities rather than from inadequate supplies. The main difficulty is to ensure that the fish reaches the consumer in good condition, since, due to the waTm and humid climate, the fish must be sold as quickly as possible. DRIED FrsH Dried fish bas in the past been purchased mainly from Norway, and imports have decreased with the extension of hostilities to the Scandinavian countries. The following table shows imports during the past six years from the three suppliers, Norway, Brazil, and Japan. Peruvian Imports of Dried and Smolced F'ish Total Norway Brazil Japan Tons Tons Tons Tons 1936 ...... 210 112 54 26 1937 ...... 214 132 27 38 1938 ..•...... 270 182 37 31 1939 ...... 179 95 36 26 1940 ...... 143 89 23 16 1941 ...... •...... 25 • * • *Figures not available. The 1bulk of the imports show-9- in the foregoing table are dried codfish from No1way1 packed in sealed containers. Inquiries for Canadian codfish have •been received at the Lima Office, 'but the current shortage of supplies, coupled with the fact that dried fish in wooden cases, kegs or barrels does not usually arrive in good condition, has precluded the placing of any business. Some type of hermetically sealed packing is a:bsolutely necessary, although formerly this added e~pense would have raised Canadian prices far a'bove Norwegian quotations. Three years ago a trial shipment of four tons of dry salt 1herrings and half a ton of dry salt salmon packed in wooden -cases was ·made from Vancouver to Lima in order to ascertain whether it would stand up under ordinary transport conditions, ·but the fish was found to be unsalaible. On account of high laid-down costs it was also in an unfavourable .competitive position as compared with Norwegian dried codfish, which was offered in airtight tin containers of either five kilos (11 pounds) net, packed eight to a wooden case or ten kilos (22 ·pounds) net four to a case. There are also imports of dried shrimps, mainly from the United States. Total arrivals in 1941 amounted to 73 tons (842,000) as compared with 43 tons ($15,000) in 1940. Of this latter quantity, the United States supplied 37 tons ·-,.:- 84 DEPAR7'JlfEN1' OF 'I'RA DE AND CO.Ii MERGE, CANADA Chilean hnvorts of Canned Salmon in 1939 Kilos rems Total ...... 71,603 i0.704 Germany ...... 2114 1,049 Cnnnda ...... 15.60~ 12,596 t:nited States ...... 36.0R:> H.651 Grcnt Britain ...... 4,684 6,465 Jtnl~· ...... 6,100 0,644 J11p1111...... 8,926 5.299 Chilean Imvorts of Canned Sardines in 1989 Kilos P~sos 'J.'otal ...... 308.139 253.666 Germany ...... • 2,715 2,~16 Spnin ...... • ...... • . .. 158.533 12(1,475 Uni led States ...... 19,057 15,37'.l Frnnce ...... iiOO 955 Great Drilnin ...... 152 254 Jtnl.r ...... • .. {) 35 J111>a11 . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • 7,762 3.846 .Xnrway...... 8.711 9.619 Portugal ...... 110,694 IH,80-1 It is apparent from the foregoing tables that the sources of Chile's imports of canned fish are more diversified than those of Peru and Ecuador. Spain and Portugal were impol'tant suppliers of sardines, Cannda was the source of a certain amount of canned salmon, and Yugoslavia and Italy formerly supplied some quantiLies of canned fish or shellfish. Although supporting statistics are not available, current imports n·ill be mainly limited to those from the American continents. Within the country greater emphasis is ·being placed on the value and importance of the products of Chilean canneries. Fresh lobsters are caught in Chile, so there i ~ little demand for the imported product. MARKET PROSPECTS The opportunities for the sale of Canadian fish in Cl\ile are only fair, in view of the strict exchange control and the efforts ·being made to increase domestic production. The Corporacion de Fomento, a semi-fiscal organization set up by the Government, was reportedly lending money to the capneries last year for the pmchase and installation of modern machinery. These plants were to pack and e~port canned tuna fish, sardines and swordfish. According to the trade, a sort of second-class chum salmon, actually more of a tunnyfish, is now being olierecl for sale by Chilean packers. A fair demand for Canadian canned salmon might -be maintained provided pl'ices are not higher than those of salmon from the United States. Since duties are high, sales would ·be limited, and all imports would be dependent on the availability of exchange. Some recent orders have 1been 1·eceived from Chile by British Columbian canners of sardines, and under more favourable conditions this ·business might 1be expanded. Ecuador FRESH, FnozEN, SAur AND DRIED F1sH The comment on conditions in Peru is equally applicable to the fish market situation in this Republic. There is a p lentiful su1)ply of fresh fish, and shipment from Canada of fish other than canned varieties is at present impracticwble. CANNED FISH -· No official trade returns have been issued since 1933, b\1t a relia:ble esfonate places the value of annual imports, mainly of sardines; at around $70,000. FISH MARKE'l'S IN THE B.11'.1. AND LATIN AMERICA 87 as shipping charges from American ports are lower, United States 1brands are better known, and th·e principal importers in Peru have established connections in that country. MAR1rnrr PROSPECTS There should continue to be a market for canned fish in Peru, at least for the amounts shown in the foregoing tables. The types of salmon for which there is a demand are mainly pinks and chums, and it. is doubtful whether the better grades would be favoured by purchasers so long as the usual price differential prevails. Japan and the United States have heretofore shared the bulk of the trade in sardines. Some Canadian canned pilchards in tomato sauce were recently offered to the trade and were quick ly sold, although out of eight leading importers, only the fhm which eventually 'Plll'Chased the lot expressed any interest. SUMMARY Possibilities for the sale of Canadian fish in Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Bolivia are limited. The •best prospects seem to be for canned sardines; some salmon is salable at low prices. Quotations must •be competitive with those of United States canners, and a:pparently some ty.pe of ·hermetically sealed container will have to 'be developed if the sale of dried or salted fish is to be successfully undertaken. Current prices are no indication of future trends, since, on account of the shortage of supplies, lack of tinplate for packing, and the difficulty of obtaining shipping space, dealers are wi11ing to pay, within reasonruble limits, higher prices as their stocks decline. The office of the Canadian Trade Commissioner at Lima is in touch with prospective importers, and correspondence is invited from Canadian e>.lporters in a position to supply these markets. It would assist materially in obtaining results if full details of the types of fish products offered, brands, sizes of tins, number of tins to a case, and sample labels were supplied in the first instance. Quotations should preferably be c.i.f. west coast of South America ports Guayaquil for Ecuador; Lima or Mollendo for Peru; Mollendo (Peru), Arica (Chile) or Antofagasta (Chile) for Bolivia; and Antofagasta and Valparaiso for Chile. If prices cannot be quoted on th is basis, they should be quoted at least free on board steamer at port of shipment. Jn view of the requirement of the Canadian Foreign Exchange Control Board that final payment for shipments to these countries must 1be effected in United States dollars, confusion will 1be a voided if ·prices are quoted in that currency. The rate of commission allowed to an agent should be clearly stated, and any discounts granted for special terms should also ·be mentioned. Arrangements should be made regarding the provision of war-risk insurance and as to whose account it will be for. In the case of Bolivia an indication should be given as to whether bhe maritime insurance could ·be arranged to contain a "warehouse to warehouse" clause, which would cover the rail journey from the port to La Paz. T·he use of samples is the best method of introducing any new product, alld half a dozen of these are useful if a canvass of the trade is to be undertaken by the Trade Commissioner. The co-operation of this office in selecting suitable agents or importers is gladly extended, and provision of the above-mentioned informa tion will greatly facilitate efforts on ·behalf of prospective Canadian exporters. , 86 DEPAR'l'iWENT OF TRADE AND COMMERCE, CANADA ($14,000). Details of 1941 imports •by countries of origin are not yet available. Some dried shellfish is brought in, mainly from China, total arrivals in each of the last two y ears varying from 9 to 6 Lons valued at approximately $1,000. CANNED FISH There is a limited market for canned fish in Peru, but only at prices competitive with those of United States brands. The Peruvians do not use much canned food and, with fresh fish available at reasonable prices, there is only a fair demand for the canned product. Sa.relines are the, most popular type, followed 1by salmon. Total importations of all canned fish into P eru in 1941 amounted to approximately 156 tons {$45,000) as compared with 354 tons ($63,000) in 1940. Of the 1940 shipments, the United States supplied 210 tons ($32,000). Imports in 1940, the last year for which details are available, were as follows:- Peruvian Imports of Salmon in 1940 Kilos Sole11 Total ...... • ...... 78,219 59,603 Argentina ...... 56 62 Canada ...... 220 287 Chile ...... : ...... 71 56 United Stat<'s ...... 71.505 54.250 Great Britain ...... 381 950 Japan ...... 5,983 3,961 Sweden ...... 3 36 Pemvicm Imports of Sardines in 1940 Kilos Soles Total ...... 202,309 175,533 Ceylon ...... 5,739 4,175 Spnin ...... · ...... 1,170 3,420 United Stat.cs ...... 128,566 102,029 France ...... 482 920 Great Dritnin ...... • 364 1,484 Holland ...... 90 314 Japan ...... 44,404 26,070 Norway ...... 126 662 Portugal ...... 21,366 36,449 Peruvian bnporls of Preserves, not Specially Classified, 'ot Fish or Shellfish, Prevared in Any Forrn, i11 1940 Kilos Soles 'l'otnl ...... • .•.. ' ...... • 73,501 135,788 Argentinn ...... 1,247 3,120 Cnnatln ...... • ...... 466 1,98() Cubn ...... 148 503 Chile ...... 9,319 9,001 Chinn ...... 11,443 5,068 Spain ...... 3,63