Rice

Media

Part of The American Chamber of Commerce Journal

Title: Rice
Creator: Houston, Charles O. Jr.
Language: English
Year: 1954
Rights
Fulltext: 394 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL October, 1954 It Doesn 't COST to AtR-ADYERTfSE... It PAYS ! DZRH __________________ | 1 .,7"] M odkUed B Madcatfong C otnpong [BZMBj ozn The [jrifxndtLbn/ R ' . I ^eauti[ul ------ TO SEE -------TO TOUCH ____ TO OPERATE Modern in design, the MARCHANT is the only Amer ican calculator with dials for checking keyboard entries. Its low-luster finish eliminates reflections causing eye fatigue. With key action twice as light as before, its keys and controls respond to the slightest touch. The MARCHANT is unmatched in accuracy control, sim plicity, speed, and silence. MARCHANT CALCULATOR ERLANGER & GALINGER, INC. 123 T. Pinpin off Escolta Tel. 3-21-61 month, and little tobacco was left for speculation. Tobacco acreage is undoubtedly going to be increased since prices were attractive to farmers and some of the Visayan to bacco was of surprisingly good quality. Virginia Tobacco {locally grown). The acreage of Virginia plantings will increase considerably because of the great demand for this type of tobacco, but Virginia cigarette factories claim that not all kinds of locally-grown Virginia are acceptable to the public and that only the higher grades will be in demand. In the Ilocos provinces, there is a tendency toward increasing the acreage for native-grown Virginia, and about 20 flue-curing barns have been constructed in different localities. A well-known foreign concern is experimenting with new types of Virginia seed. Cigar and Cigarrette Factories. Contradictory statements are made as to the stocks of Virginia tobacco in the Philippines. Many factories claim they will have to close down if no more Virginia is imported from the United States, while some government sources state there still are enough stocks of Virginia to last until 1955. A raid was made on the Sta. Ana Cigar & Cigarette Factory at Hagonoy, Bulacan, where counterfeit internal revenue stamps and several imitation brands of cigarettes were being manufactured. It is a high hope that this good work against tax-evadefs and counterfeiters will be relent lessly continued. Rice By Charles O. Houston, Jr. Director, Graduate School, University of Manila AS supply in production sectors dwindled rapidly at the beginning of the month, all old-crop varieties registered increases over a wide range, from 25/ to Pl.20 per sack (56 kilos). Wagwag, from the South, re mained relatively unchanged. Palay prices, in producing areas, increased: Nueva Ecija ordinario, from P9.70 to P10.60; raminad, P10.00 to Pll.60; wagwag, P11.70 to P13.00. Distribution of NARIC rice (selling at 85/ and 60/ per ganta for macan no. 2 and imported), had some effect upon volume in the wholesale market but did not check the upward trend in prices. The second week of September was marked by steadi ness in the market, except for wagwag which increased 25/ (per 56 kilos). The greatly expanded distribution of NARIC rice in the provinces was generally believed responsible for this steadiness. However, raminad second class and Thai second class, disappeared from the market and macan, both classes, was difficult to secure (as had been the case since the middle of August), not reappearing in any quantity on the general market until the end of the month. This clearly indicated the rapidly dwindling supply in producing centers in Luzon. The third week of September was marked by a growing weakness in the sellers’ market, due to increasing arrivals from the South and the expanded distribution of NARIC rice. All varieties suffered losses over a wide range, from 25/ to P2.00, per sack (56 kilos). As harvest was begin ning in Mindoro and the Bicol, the heaviest demand re mained in the Manila metropolitan area, where prices per ganta had as yet not been reduced to the corresponding level of the wholesale market. Palay prices followed the general trend and fell off by 50/ to 80/ per sack for most available varieties. The higher-class varieties continued their upward trend in the retail market. The fourth week of September continued to be marked by the weakness of the preceding week. Cotabato and Davao shipments were heavy, NARIC rice was reduced to 55/ per ganta, newly-harvested Bicol varieties appeared on the market, so that all varieties in the wholesale market dropped over a range from 25/ to Pl.00 per sack. Macan October, 1954 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 395 first class (from the old crop), which had been absent from the market for a month, also reappeared on the wholesale market, and Southern macan, raminad, and elonelon also appeared by the middle of the week. The price-trend seemed definitely to be lowering or at least levelling off, on the wholesale market, but retail prices by the end of the fourth week had as yet not registered significant de creases. By the end of the month, several new varieties ap peared on the market, those from Cavite being the highest in quality and price (as much as Pl.35 per ganta). These special varieties hardly ever appear on the wholesale market, and are generally sold through retail outlets to “old cus tomers” of the dealers. Their normal price is so much higher than the usual varieties in demand that they are not used in assessing the market picture. Their significance, in a restricted class, appears important and this column is endeavoring to gather some information on their distri bution. As far as taste is concerned, they are far superior to anything else on the market. The national scene continued confused. On September 2, it was announced that the NARIC had discarded the plan to finance importation of 25,000 tons of rice and had instead placed the burden of financing this importation on private enterprise. Bids, which had been submitted to the NARIC, were in the process of evaluation, when Eco nomic Coordinator Alfredo Montelibano informed them of a directive from Malacanang ordering the closure- of bids to the public, the Cabinet having decided that NARIC was to confine its activities to local purchasing. Under the new plan, private firms would be responsible for the importation and distribution of imported rice, letters of credit to be opened in the name of the NARIC and exemp tion from the 17% exchange tax to be granted. Such rice was to be stored, free of charge, in NARIC bodegas and was to be distributed by the PRISCO, similarly. The rice was to be sold under the control and supervision of the NARIC and a penalty of Pl.00 per ton was to be imposed for every day of delay beyond the end of September. As of September 2, only three importers had expressed willingness: Norson Company offered to sell Pakistan “Kangni” at 52/ per ganta (ex-warehouse); C. A. Roxas and Overseas Factors offered to sell the same rice at 51/. Norson offered 10,000 tons; the other two, 5,000 tons each. Later it was announced that the NARIC would sell this rice at about 60/ per ganta, buying it from importers at 49j/ to 52/ per ganta. On September 10, President Magsaysay created a rice purchasing committee, composed of the Secretary of Agri culture and Natural Resources, the Director of NARIC, the Chairman of ACCFA, the PRISCO General Manager, the Director of Public Schools, and the Chief of Constabu lary, to handle the purchase of rice, expressing his impatience with the NARIC board’s failure to properly solve the vexing situation. Later in the month two prospective importers of Thai rice withdrew from the plan and fear was expressed at the same time that the Pakistan rice would not arrive at the expected date, to hold the price at the level created by the President previously, and Director Chioco stated that only C. A. Roxas could guarantee delivery of Pakistan rice by the middle of October. The NARIC then threatened to sue the two reluctant importers for “taking lightly whatever commitments they may have made with the Corporation.” This charge was denied by one of the importers, who stated in reply that it was the NARIC which had changed the conditions of the contract after initial steps had been agreed upon. At the end of the month some discussion ensued over the possibility of frauds being committed in connection with importation of Thai rice and reports were also cir culated that the rice ordered from Pakistan was defective in some respects. STANDING STYLE PAPER CUTTERS of different sizes from 9” to 36” for immediate delivery. Kraft and Manila Wrapping Paper in various size width rolls for above PAPER CUTTERS car ried in stock at all times. J. P. HEILBRONN CO. (.Established 1909) PIONEER PAPER DEALERS IN THE PHILIPPINES 575 Atlanta Street, Port Area (3-36-17 Manila e S> (3-36-18 Private exchange connecting all Depts. THE PEN OF PROVED) PERFORMANCE Frawley Phil. Corp., Wise Bldg., J. Luna, Manila Telephone: 2-77-62 There’s nothing like PAPER-MATE, the pen of proved performance. Not just an ordinary ball pen, it guarantees you unequalled writing; excellence! Get PAPER-MATE now. 396 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL October, 1954 SERVICE with ATISFACTION CUSTOMS BROKERS WAREHOUSEMEN TRUCKING PACKING & CRATING FREIGHT FORWARDING SHIP HUSBANDING CARGO SUPERINTENDENCE AIR CARGO AGENTS TRAVEL AGENTS FIELD WAREHOUSING LUZON BROKERAGE COMPANY Derham Bldg. Cables: Telephone: Port Area LUBROCOIN 3-34-31 Caterpillar DOES ITS SHARE! Staunchly dependable, yellow - painted CATERPILLAR Machines do a full share ... in agriculture, logging, mining, road-building! All over the Islands, CATERPILLAR Machines set standards of achievement ... so as to hasten progress, make possible prosperity and give tangible substance to the inspiration of new leadership. KOPPEL (PHILIPPINES), INC. BOSTON*23rd Sts., PORT AREA, MANILATel.3-37-53 hear BACOLOD • ILOrLO • CEBU • DAVAO • ZAMBOANGA DADIANGAS, COTABATO • CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY The President ordered the NARIC to sell rice at 55^ per ganta, and by the end of the month such sales were proceeding, exercising a general salutary effect upon the retail market. The President stated quite exactly that it was not important for NARIC to make a profit; what was important was to get rice to the consumer as cheaply as possible and in sufficient quantity. The President again thus displayed his earnestness and seriousness of purpose in ending in whatever fashion at his disposal the muddle created by bureaucratic tampering with the laws of eco nomics. RICE PRICES (Per sacfc-Stf kilos AND PALAY Ms Week 1.02 Ago .98 1i Year Ago r Hi Hl 11? HS 1? b’ms 1“ II8 l.°of IIS Ji Palay (Ordin.): Week of Sept. 6-11 "‘ms 1.09 1.02 Io If 19« Hi Hi Hi Ho 1? Ms z H? Ho? II8 1J Palay (Ordin.).- .50 .48 .48 .48 .12 Week of Sept. 13-18: 1.13 1.09 .95 If 1? Hi 1.18 Hi M°o 1? "Ms z Hi If Palay (Ordin.).- .53 .50 .48 .48 .12 1C" 20-25: Week Ago It 1.13 1.13 donth Ago Year Ago .11 Hi Hi H? H? 11 Z z Hi 11? If Palay (Ordin.): .53 .53 .48 .48 .12 MACAN (56 kilos) and PALAY (44 kilos) EBF jt frlF"' a “ir ss October, 1954 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 397 Imports By S. Schmelkes Mercantile, Inc. ALL figures are in kilos with the exception of those for foodstuffs which are given in package units. Commodities: Automotive (Total).......................................... Automobiles............ Auto Parts.. Bicycles.............. Trucks.............. Truck Chassis............... Truck Parts.......................... Building Materials (Total). . Board, Fibre........................ Cement............. Glass, Window............ Gypsum............... Chemicals (Total)........ Caustic Soda......... Explosives (Total)... Firearms (Total)... Ammunition.......... Hardware (Total). Household (Total). . . . Machinery (Total)......... Metals (Tbtal)............................ Petroleum Products (Total) Radios (Total)....................... Rubber Goods (Total). Beverages, Misc. Alcoholic. Foodstuffs, Total Kilos........... Foodstuffs, Fresh (Total).... Apples.................................. Oranges.. . Onions.......... Potatoes.'............. ................. Foodstuffs, Dry Packaged (Total) . Foodstuffs, Canned (Total)............... Sardines.......................................... Milk, Evaporated.... Milk, Condensed..... Foodstuffs, Bulk (Total) Rice.. ............................. Wheat Flour........................ Foodstuffs, Preserved (Total) .. Bottling, Misc. (Total).................... Cleansing and Laundry (Total) Entertainment Equipment (Total) . . Livestock-bulbs-seeds (Total)............ Medical (Total)............................ Musical (Total)................ Office Equipment (Total). Office Supplies (Total)... Paper (Total)....................... Photographic (Total)........... Raw Materials (Total).. Sporting Goods (Total). Stationery (Total)......... Tobacco (Total)............. Chucheria (Total)................ Clothing Apparel (Total)......... Cosmetics (Total)... Fabrics (Total).... Jewelry (Total).... Leather (Total)........ Textiles (Total)............ Twine (Total)........... Toys (Total)..................................... General Merchandise (Total)............. Non-Commercial Shipments (Total).. . Advertising Materials, Etc. (Total).......... A 1954*' 1,931,406 363,974 146,470 2,331 68,348 281,196 383,464 15,507,471 2,974 11,448,871 893,032 5,750,478 209,944 A 1953’ 1,344,620 268,410 329,779 191 98,734 401,396 38,301 . 20,966,369 17,621,408 686,605 45,359 8,407,233 1,191,159 138 138 5,426,971 1,011,994 1,932,857 10,691,246 53,968,400 29,037 858,969 3,635 19,992,087 44,589 6,188 9,596 450 15 9,955 543,344 30,193 182,048 35,382 303,320 271,450 677 12,776 2,981 4,618,113 1,158,745 2,604,860 11,826,723 72,989,954 98,455 874,670 3,183 26,593,285 60,119 5,053 4,582 21,680 5,146 16.795 319,274 15.796 112,088 42,897 678,617 646,039 342 973,988 110,289 3,179 343,180 853,240 56,977 103,980 25,885 3,845,914 12,983 2,344,730 3,203 155,169 368,343 974,120 98,062 6,137 356,472 402,681 46,569 37,705 34,503 5,850,393 83,599 1,704,824 13,465 548,622 2,365,476 86,517 400,391 5,362 263,540 134,111 2,932,503 54,800 28,138 1,514,766 137,665 40,202 85,493 570,831 57,525 878,672 76 165,728 3,254,432 45,824 26,232 523,054 102,705 17,528 19 LUZON STEfflORING COMPANY, INC. Marine Construction and Repairs, Salvage Contractors, Lighters, Towboats, Waterboats, Ship-Chandlers and Provisioners. * P. O. Box 582 Cable Address: Manila, Philippines “LUSTEVECO” 1IIILE0II 1Dd I'llIII'INI iif Pimm Hemp Exporters Steamship Agents 207 Myers Building Port Area, Manila