S6 Journal of the Department op Agriculture. 



SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCE ON THE 

 OVERSEA MARKET. 



Notes from Reports of the Acting Trade 

 Commissioner. 



Year 1919. 



Ostrich feathers were put up to auction for the first time since the 

 war in June last year, when 27,000 lb. were sold for a total value of 

 £30,000; prices being 24 to 25 per cent, hio'her than in 1914. Later 

 on, neutral and allied countries were mnkino' inquiries for South 

 African feathers. The Trade Commissioner arranged for displays 

 in the windows of prominent West End Stores in London. It is con- 

 sidered these displays will have a direct value in view of the spring 

 sales and fashions. He has also arranged for a series of public sales 

 of ostrich feathers during the year 1920. 



Wool. — The first series of wool sales since the war were held in 

 May and June, when South African free wools of poor quality were 

 offered, as also Government wools. Practically the whole of the 

 August wool offerings of 7,248 bales were purchased for export. Com- 

 petition during September was very keen, Britisii, Continental, and 

 American buyers competing. The French demand increased in 

 October, when greasy wools were much sought. The November 

 auctions closed on a basis fully on a par with tlie high level values 

 established for Australian Merino wools. It was further somewhat 

 difficult to arrive at the actual clean basis on which wools were then 

 selling. However, taking good, 12-months' combing wools, it worked 

 out at from 125d. to 128d. per lb. ex London Warehouse, top-making 

 sorts costing from llOd. to llSd. and 6-months' from 75d. to 80d. 

 French competition for long, greasy combing wools continued keen 

 during December. Considerable quantities of South African wools, 

 forming part of the Imperial Government's purchases, 

 were also offered, and these had a somewhat depressing effect on the 

 market. Some of these wools had been on hand for a considerable 

 time, with consequent depreciation in quality. 



The mohair market was not very strong, owing- to large stocks of 

 Turkey mohair offering, and also because the machinery plant avail- 

 able to many mohair spinners had been reduced by being turned into 

 wool spinning'. 



French buyers continued for a time keen on Cape Merino Skins. 

 Shippers are recommended to make offers, c.i.f. Bordeaux, as soon as 

 direct steamers are available. 



Cotton seed of good, average quality was estimated at £24 per 

 ton, c.i.f. United Kingdom, The Trades Commissioner, however, 

 reports that it was difficult to give prices in the absence of samples. 

 As the prices for cotton seed are governed by the ascertained oil content 

 of the seed, he urged that average samples of the year's crop be sent 

 him for valuation, and recommended that the seed shipped be delinted 

 as far as possible. 



Raisin shipinents showed a great improv-ement, which was most 

 gratifying, and the grading left little to be desired. 



