THE CUBA 11 E V I E W 



23 



THE SUGAR INDUSTRY 



THE CAUSE OF THE SUGAR SHORTAGE 



The shortage in the refined sugar supply 

 which recently developed came as a surprise 

 to most consumers, and judging by the fact 

 that all stocks became ilepleted practically at 

 the same time, it would api);^ar as if the 

 grocery trade was as much taken unawares 

 as its customers. The result from the point of 

 view of the individual buyer was a sudden 

 cutting off of a supply that had hitherto been 

 so continuous as to seem inexhaustible. 



A survey of world conditions governing the 

 production and consumption would have 

 removed the element of surprise, and while 

 explanations will not provide sugar it is at 

 least interesting to analyz ■ the causes that 

 led to the shortage. 



A very few words are necessary : the 

 increased European demand for Cuban sugar 

 to take the place of German and Austrian 

 beet sugar now unavailable. Had Cuba not 

 suffered an insurrection during the grinding 

 season, her increased production over 1916 

 probably would have been sufficient to 

 cover all requirements, but as it was, her crop 

 was only a little more than last year. Now 

 let us delve for a moment into statistics. 



In 1913-1914 Germany and Austria pro- 

 duced nearly one-fourth of the world's supply. 

 The United Kingdom alone took about 

 650,000 tons per year from these countries. 

 This source of supply has, of course, been 

 shut o& since 1914. Now compare the 

 261,806 tons of raw sugar shipped from Cuba 

 to the United Kingdom in 1914 with the 

 787,965 tons in 1917 (to the middle of Novem- 

 ber). Also bear in mind that the import of 

 refined sugar from the United States has more 

 than doubled since 1914 and as this was nearly 

 all Cuban sugar originally, it will be seen that 

 • the demand on the Cuban crop has grown 



beyond f)r()duction. Take the Cuban crop 

 of 1917 which totaled a little over three 

 million tons. To the middle of November, 

 Europe had taken in din^'t shijjments of raw 

 sugar 922,380 tons, and had also taken 

 350,000 tons of refined sugar from here. 

 Thus it is apparent that more than a third of 

 Cuba's crop this year has gone to Europe. 



The eastern states, becaase of their close 

 j)roximity, depend largely on the Cuban crop, 

 and if this fails or is u.sed elsewhere, they 

 must nece.ssarily suffer, unless other supplies 

 are diverted from their usual channels. 

 In past years sugar has been imported from 

 Java between seasons when necessary, but 

 the scarcity of tonnage would make this 

 impossible this year, even if the Java sugar 

 were not needed in Europe. 



As to relief of the present shortage, this 

 will come when the new Cuban crop begins to 

 arrive, and, after being refined, is distributed. 

 By the first part of January there should be 

 enough for all reasonable needs with a 

 continuing supply. 



In the meantime the release for local use 

 of certain sugars held for foreign account, but 

 not forwarded; also, the shipment of some 

 Louisiana sugar and the promise of some 

 western beets, should materially help. 



As regards the possibility of another similar 

 shortage in 1918, much depends upon Cuba. 

 If her expectations of a 3,250,000-ton crop 

 are realized — an increase of half a million 

 tons — and there is no great change in the 

 balance of the world's production, there will 

 probably be enough. That is as much as the 

 writer cares to predict at this time when 

 constantly changing conditions make all 

 prophecy hazardous. In any event, we hope 

 that Cuba attains that three and a quarter 

 million ton crop. Go ahead, Cuba, and show 

 us what you can do. 



CENTRALS COMMENCED GRINDING 



The following Cuban sugar centrals have commenced grinding the 1917-1918 crop: 



Name of C entral Localion Province 



ERMITA Ermita Oriente 



ISABEL Guantanamo Oriente 



MANATI Manati Oriente 



PALMA Palma Oriente 



PALMARITO Palmarito de Cauto Oriente 



.SANTA ANA ' Auza Oriente 



