Tobacco
Media
Part of The American Chamber of Commerce Journal
- Title
- Tobacco
- Language
- English
- Source
- The American Chamber of Commerce Journal Volume XXX (No. 2) February 1954
- Year
- 1954
- Rights
-
- Fulltext
- 70 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL February, 1954 Paper J. P. HEILBKOXA CO.IW ESTABLISHED 1909 ■ W PAPER and Paper Products of All Kinds Office and School Supplies Printing and Lithographic Machinery and Supplies Surveying and Drafting Material Genuine DU PONT Cellophane, Cellulose Sponges, Cellulose Bands (Bottle Caps), Cellulose Yarn Esterbrook Fountain Pens, Push Pencils and Desk Sets FIR-TEX Building Board and Insulating Board Bodega Equipment—Barrett Lift Trucks and Portable Elevators Office and Sales Room: 3-36-17 575 Atlanta, Port Area, Manila Te,s: 3-36-18 Doing a Fine Job! CATERPILLAR BEG. O.S. PAT. OFFICE Throughout the islands today, “CATERPILLAR” products are doing a fine job—helping in the re-habilitation of the Philippines. These yellow machines are in many different kinds of services. But wherever they are called upon to serve, you can count on them to do their jobs staunchly and dependably. KOPPEL (PHILIPPINES), INC. PHILIPPINE REPRESENTATIVES: PRESSED STEEL CAR CO., INC. BOSTON & 23rd STREETS, PORT AREA •• TEL. 3-37-53 Branches: BACOLOD.ILOILO.CEBU.DAVAO.COTABATO’ZAMBOANGA Tobacco By Luis A. Pujalte Exporter, Importer and Wholesale Dealer in Leaf Tobacco THERE has been quite a lot in the papers of late re garding the possible revival of the National Tobacco Corporation or an organization of a similar nature. If this is done, it will be a mistake, as again a couple of million pesos of the tax-payers’ money will be spent within a few years without tangible benefit. The claim that tobacco prices are low because the Corporation was liquidated (in 1951), is false. It is true that the 1952 crop was purchased at low prices, but this was because it was a very abundant crop and because most dealers were already heavily stocked with the remainders of previous crops, purchased at high prices, which they had difficulty in selling because of the anticipated lower prices which would result from the large prospective crop. Dealers were also short of cash, which added to their re luctance to buy. However, because of the low prices paid for the 1952 crop, Philippine tobacco came down to world-market levels and there were heavy exports during the latter part of 1952 and part of 1953. Most of the existing stocks were exhausted. Unfavorable weather conditions reduced the size of the 1953 crop, and since little old-crop tobacco remained, prices sky-rocketed in spite of the poor quality,—and without a National Tobacco Corporation in existence. The 1954 crop will also be short and prices will con tinue high. And as a consequence of the renewed high prices, exports have already dropped considerably and will remain low up to 1955. The real thing to do, in the writer’s humble opinion, is not to attempt to force up prices, but to look for ways and means to obtain a larger and more efficient production so that our tobacco will be able to compete in the world market. The Department of Agricultural Extension can be of more aid to the farmers than a marketing concern be cause prices are naturally governed by supply and demand and there is no way of forcing them artificially without some one being hurt. It was the tax-payers who were hurt during the time of the defunct National Tobacco Corpora tion. 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: December, 1953 December, 1952 Automotive (Total).................... ............. 1,874,041 1,305,935 Automobiles.............................. 145,102 223,689 Auto Accessories..................... ............. 5,851 26 Auto Parts................................ ............. 362,049 184,022 Bicycles...................................... ............. 12,019 256 Trucks....................................................... 79,979 45,495 Trucks Chassis........................ ........... 247,733 250,956 Truck Parts.............................. ............. 47,653 92,091 Building Materials (Total). . ............. 4,702,093 3,499,043 Board, Fibre.............................. ............. 20,930 20,952 Cement....................................... ............. 161,024 33,981 Glass, Window........................ 1,199,985 362,117 Gypsum....................................... ............. — 1,009,072 Chemicals (Total)................................... 12,332,138 6,637,828 Caustic Soda.. ......................... ............. 813,115 364,125 Explosives (Total)...................... ............. 111,226 61,376 Firearms (Total)......................... ............. 8,750 2,410 Ammunition............................................. 4,072 2,398 Hardware (Total)........................ ............. 4,023,692 4,253,773 Household (Total)...................... ............. 1,454,815 ' 898,656 Machinery (Total)....................... ............. 2,213043 1,828,102