Food products

Media

Part of The American Chamber of Commerce Journal

Title: Food products
Creator: Herdman, C. G.
Language: English
Year: 1953
Rights
Fulltext: 118 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL March, 1953 SMITH-CORONA PORTABLE One glance at the new SMITH-CORONA. . . and you’re convinced that it’s the most beautiful and sturdy portable typewriter you’ve ever laid eyes on! Not just a “new model”. . . it’s a revolutionary all new typewriter. . . with a total of nineteen new features plus fifteen SMITH-CORONA “exclu sives”! Its smart, new Color-speed Keyboard is full standard office machine size. . . has rimless keys colored a restful non-glare green and “comfort shape” to cup your finger tips. ERLANGER & GALINGER, INC. 123 T. Pinpin, Manila • Magallanes St., Cebu City Doing a Fine Job! CATERPILLAR REG. U.S. PAT. OFFICE Throughout the islands today, “CATERPILLAR” products arc doing a fine job—helping in the rc-habilitation of the Philippines. These yellow machines arc in many different kinds of services. But wherever they are called upon to serve, you can count on them to do tlicir jobs staunchly and dependably. KOPPEL (PHILIPPINES), INC. PHILIPPINE REPRESENTATIVES: PRESSED STEEL CAR CO., INC. BOSTON A 2 3rd STREETS, PORT AREA TEL. 3-37-53 Branch..: BACOLOD. ILOILO. CEBU. DAVAO • COTAB ATO-ZAMBOANGA J Bottling, Misc. (Total)...................................... 693,286 882,898 Cleansing & Laundry (Total).......................... 96,269 70,647 Entertainment Equipment (Total)................ 2,147 21,996 Livestock-bulbs-seeds (Total).......................... 25,877 13,172 Medical (Total).................................................... 437,534 409,562 Musical (Total).................................................... 20,713 26,284 Office Equipment (Total)................................. 59,892 25,609 Office Supplies (Total)....................................... 46,234 79,335 Paper (Total)........................................................ 4,559,658 7,610,556 Photographic (Total).......................................... 26,783 30,666 Raw Materials (Total)..................... 1,933,481 801,764 Sporting Goods (Total)..................................... 19,924 27,063 Stationery (Total)............................................... 153,866 288,244 Tobacco (Total)................................................... 1,111,797 792,120 Metals (Total)...................................................... Petroleum Products (Total)............................. Radios (Total)....................................................... Rubber Goods (Total)....................................... 9,334,778 77,427,220 17,492 902,751 8,487,562 79,879,226 13,168 1,600,525 Beverages, Misc. Alcoholic............................... 3,684 6,045 Foodstuffs, (Total Kilos).................................. 30,064,923 27.506,266 Foodstuffs, Fresh (Total).................................. 120,027 150,320 Apples................................................................. 32,922 28,036 Oranges............................................................... 19,001 12,608 Onions.................................................................. 6,628 39,132 Potatoes.............................................................. 9,657 22,156 Foodstuffs, Dry Packaged (Total)................. 35,986 70,724 Foodstuffs, Canned (Total).............................. 383,429 246,887 Sardines.............................................................. 97,386 103,314 Milk, Evaporated............................................ 147,181 1,200 Milk, Condensed............................................. 19,100 14,149 Foodstuffs, Bulk (Total)................................... 616,485 542,681 Rice...................................................................... — — Wheat Flour................................................... 563,992 490,500 Foodstuffs, Preserved (Total).......................... 2,437 1,179 Chucheria (Total)............................................ 47,795 79,902 Clothing and Apparel (Total).......................... 595,569 605,895 Cosmetics (Total)................................................ 33,438 33,917 Fabrics (Total)..................................................... 824,928 594,181 Jewelry (Total)..................................................... 334 — Leather (Total).................................................... 85,506 134,335 Textiles (Total).................................................... 2,856,769 3,729,443 Twine (Total)....................................................... 23,934 46,660 Toys (Total).......................................................... 18,444 113,490 General Merchandise (Total).......................... 1,240,393 742,305 Non-Commercial Shipments (Total)............. 110,431 72,001 Advertising Materials, Etc. (Total)............... 44,226 38,471 Food Products By C. G. Herdman Vice-President, Marsman S * Company, Inc. ALTHOUGH several bills have been presented in the present Congress which would extend the life of the Import Control Law beyond the present expiry date of June 30, 1953, no decisive action of any nature has as yet been taken, nor are there positive indications as to what action, if any, will be taken, although undoubtedly some such action will be taken before the present Congress adjourns. During February, the Import Control Commission started issuing licenses covering imports for the present semester and such licenses have been coming out in good volume as far as pertains to controlled essentials and nonessentials. There has been very considerable delay, how ever, in issuing the licenses for decontrolled goods. Flour imports licensed for the present semester amount to an average of 533,000 bags (50 lbs. each) for ship ment monthly, January to April inclusive, and 580,000 bags monthly during May and June. These quantities include approximately 1/6 of non-IWA flour, the remainder being the unshipped portion of the Philippine allotment for the present crop-year under the International Wheat Agreement. These quantities are far short of the 700,000 bags, average monthly imports, for the year 1952. How ever, quantities considerably in excess of immediate re quirements were either in hand or afloat at the beginning of the year. A shortage is now beginning to develop on flour stocks, particularly in Manila, and the most popular March, 1953 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 119 brands are today selling in Manila at prices above ceilings. Stocks in the southern ports are still more than ample to cover immediate requirements, but there are signs that a shortage will develop in the South well within the next few weeks, and it appears positive that stocks of flour in the Islands will be far short of requirements during May at the latest, probably in April. The ICC and the PRISCO have been approached on this subject and the suggestion has been made that they permit the 580,000 bags previously licensed for June shipment to be sent forward and shipped, instead, one-half in April and the other half in May so as to insure against the shortage of this essential commodity which otherwise appears inevitable. If this plan is carried through, it will be necessary that the Central Bank provide additional funds for flour imports to be effected during the month of June, which should be in a quantity not less than 600,000 bags. All of this flour, of course, will have to be non-IWA, as the Philippine quota will have been exhausted under IWA. Meetings of the representatives of the various export ing and importing countries under the International Wheat Agreement started in Washington, D. C. on January 30. These meetings deal with the possible renewal or extension of the IWA, which will expire at the end of.the present crop-year, July 31, 1953. The meetings are still continuing up to the present (March 3), and no decision has yet been arrived at, but it appears probable that IWA will be ex tended or renewed for a 2-year period. No official announce ment has been made, but it is rumored that delay in deci sion is due to the fact that exporters and importers can not agree upon the maximum price to apply under the Treaty. During the present IWA, the maximum price has been $1.80 per bushel. This has resulted in a very serious loss to the principal exporting countries, Canada and the United States. In the case of the United States, it is reported this loss has averaged $200,000,000 per annum, which is paid out in the form of subsidies to flour and grain ex porters to compensate them for the difference between the maximum IWA price and the actual cost of such grain in the market. It is rumored that the United States and Canada are now holding out for a maximum price of $2.25, whereas the importing countries are trying to have this figure set at $1.95, or a maximum of $2.00. There are certain indications that a compromise figure of $2.15 may be the final figure. If the wheat price is pegged at $2.15 for IWA, an increase of $.35 per bushel over the present maximum, and figuring Philippine importations at 650,000 bags monthly, which would seem to be the absolute mini mum requirement, this would mean an additional cost to the Philippines for its flour supplies of almost $300,000 monthly. otocks of canned milk in the Philippines continue to be ample, with the sole exception of non-fat dry milk solids, which are in very short supply. It has been recom mended this item be included with the other varieties of milk as “decontrolled.” It is of very high food-value and is essential in the bakery and ice-cream trades. At the same time it is the lowest-costing of all the various varieties of milk. It is difficult to understand why non-fat dry milk solids should not be decontrolled, particularly in view of the fact that modified milk, the most expensive of all milk varieties, has recently been included among the de controlled items. 'there have recently been arrivals in considerable A quantities of canned meats and supplies of this item for the present appear to be normal. Fruits and vegetables, both canned and fresh, are in short supply, and prices of nearly all items are extremely high. The shortage of canned fish continues to be very acute. The prices charged consumers, particularly in provincial ★ LUZON STEVEDORING COMPANY, ISC. Manila ★ SERVICE WITH SATISFACTION / CUSTOMS BROKERS / WAREHOUSEMEN / TRUCKING / PACKING & CRATING / FREIGHT FORWARDING / SHIP HUSBANDING / CARGO SUPERINTENDENCE / ARMORED CAR SERVICE / AIR CARGO AGENTS 7 TRAVEL AGENTS / FIELD WAREHOUSING LUZON BROKERAGE COMPANY Derham Bldg. Cables: Telephone: Port Area LUBROCOIN 3-31-31 120 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL March, 1953 EXPERIENCED Your printing jobs so skillfully done they stand out, they're noted,—and in time so will you! FINE PRINTING • SOCIAL ENGRAVING BOOKBINDING • RUBBER STAMPS McCullough PRINTING COMPANY Fine letterpress Printeri Since 1899 (A DIVISION OF PHILIPPINE EDUCATION CO.) 1104 Castillejos, Manila Telephone 3-24-70 NEUSS, IIESSLEIN & CO., INC. 75 WORTH ST., NEW YORK, N.Y. FOREMOST SUPPLIERS OF TEXTILE FABRICS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD for 86 years and FOREMOST SUPPLIERS OF TEXTILES TO THE PHILIPPINES FOR 51 YEARS. ♦ • FAUST SUITINGS • FLATTERY PRINTS • WALDORF PERCALES • SEINE TWINE *& YARNS • AGUILA DENIMS • CARABELA CHAMBRAYS • COMMANDER BROADCLOTH • COTTON & RAYON POUND-GOODS -------------------------- MANILA OFFICE:---------------------------304 NUEVA STREET CORNER DASMARlftAS MANILA PHONE 2-69-17 Cable Address “NEHESCO” districts, are well above ceilings. This shortage will be much more severely felt during the coming typhoon season, when supplies of locally caught fish are very greatly re duced. Supplies of canned fish in all producing countries are the smallest in many years, and it is doubtful if suffi cient quantities can be purchased anywhere to satisfy the minimum requirements of this country between now and next October, regardless of price. Textiles By W. V. Saussotte General Manager Neuss, Hesslein Co.. Inc. BOTH the Manila market and the New York market experienced fractional declines during February in sofar as finished goods were concerned, although prices of raw cotton and other natural and synthetic fibers remained practically unchanged. The declines in New York were the usual seasonal ones which follow Christmas and precede the Easter buying season. Locally the large arrivals for February, totalling about 21,000 packages, were also contributory to the declines. The Import Control Commission began the issuance of first-semester licenses around the 15th of February and has apparently achieved a certain degree of success in its objective of having import-license applications processed in a speedier and more efficient manner than heretofore. Arrivals from the United States during February to talled 20,883 packages, which is about 5,000 packages above the average monthly consumption. Arrivals from the United States included 8,640 packages of cotton piece goods, 4,301 packages of rayon piece goods, 1,431 packages of cotton remnants, 1,580 packages of rayon remnants, and 2,914 packages of knitting yarn. Included also were 845 packages of sewing thread, 202 packages of cotton twine, and 250 packages of cotton duck. Arrivals of all types of textiles from countries other than the United States totalled 3,034 packages. Included were 679 packages from China, consisting mainly of cotton knitting yarn and cotton piece goods, and 714 packages from Japan, consisting principally of cotton piece goods. There were 37 packages from-Europe and 1,604 packages from India, the latter consisting entirely of jute cloth and jute sugar bags. The Import Control Law and Textiles nrEXTiLES are the principal item of import in the Philippines. More dollars are spent every year on importing textiles than any other item, including food, construction materials, fuel, or any of the other necessities of life. In the face of declining foreign reserves, the Philippine Govern ment found it necessary to sharply curtail textile imports. We believe that no businessman can quarrel with the over all necessity to save our foreign exchange by limiting im ports in general and textiles in particular. However, under the supplementary regulations and appendices of Republic Act 650, cotton textiles have been AGENTS TELEPHONES BROKERS 3-34-20 CHARTERERS 3-34-29 American Steamship Agencies, Inc. Manila and Tokyo Cable Address: 212 Myers Bldg. “AMERSHIP ” Area Manila