200 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCE ON THE 

 OVERSEA MARKET. 



Extracts from Report of the Acting Trade 

 Commissioner. 



February, 1920. 



Wool. — At the February auctions, which conchided on the 27th instant, 

 5688 bales of South African "free" wool were offered. The market, however, 

 was most disappointing and a large proportion of the quantities offered was 

 withdrawn, owino; partly to the high limits put on the various parcels. The 

 improvement which took place in the prices for Australian merinos was not 

 shared by greasy Cape wools at any period during the sales, and although 

 during the .second week of the auctions there was a certain amount of Continental 

 competition for medium and inferior snow whites which caused an advance of 

 about 5 per cent., this appreciation was not maintained, and at the close of the 

 sales prices for all descriptions were about on a par with the closing rates of the 

 January auctions. 



The following are the nominal quotations now ruling for South African 

 Avool : — 



Western Eastern ,r , 



rrovuico. Frovmce. 



Snow white, super ... ... SOd. to 95d. 75d. to 91d. 



Snow white, average to good ... 64d. to 79d. — — 



Snow white, short ... ... ... — ()()d. to 74d. — 



Snow white, inferior ... ... 42d. to 63d. — — 



Snow white, faxilty ... ... ... — 38d. to 59d. — 



Scoured, super ... ... ... — — 60d. to SOd. 



Scoured, inferior ... ... ... — — 38d. to 59d. 



Grease, superior 38d. to 60d. 40d. to 68d. 39d. to 54d. 



Grease, average to good 26d. to 37d. 29d. to 39d. 27d. to 38d. 



Grease, inferior ISd. to 25d. 18d. to 28d. 18d. to 26d. 



Mohair. — The market demand for mohair was qiiiet during the month, the 

 only feature of interest being the offering of 500 bales at public auction on the 

 18th February. There was a fair attendance of buyers but competition was very 

 small and the bulk of the mohair was withdraw'n. 



The following prices are based on those realized at the auction : — 



Summer kids, 37d. to 43d. per lb. 



Summer firsts, 26d. to 28d. per lb. 



Winter hair, 24d. per lb. 



Mixed, 12d. to 20d. per lb. 



Greys, 14d. per lb. 



Hides. — Auction sales were held on the 5th February, and the otferings of 

 South African hides were considerable, but a large proportion of the goods were 

 of an unattractive nature. Wet salted hides were not dealt in to any great 

 extent, but dry and dry salted of " heavy " weight, of first and second selections, 

 which were in small supply, appreciated about ^d. to Id. per lb. as compared 

 with January prices. Extra heavy weights, chiefly dry salted of good quality, 

 sold at fully l^d. per lb. above the rates ruling at the previous sales. Third and 

 fourth class skins were not in demand. Kips and calf skins of first and second 

 selections .secured good comjietition, but thirds were in poor demand. 



The following are the average prices ruling for South African hides, c.i.f. 

 terms : — 



Wet salted (best heavy), 18d. to 21d. per lb. 



Dry hides (heavv), 2dd. to 27^d. per lb. 



Dry salted, 26d. to 26^- per lb. 



Second quality hides, about Id. per lb. less. 



Kips and calf skins (firsts). 325(1. to SS^d. P^i" lb. 



Kips and calf skins (seconds). 29jd. to 30id. per lb. 



