South African Produce on the Oversea Market. 68.'^ 



SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCE ON THE 

 OVERSEA MARKET. 



Extracts from Report of the Trade Comniissioner. 



July, 1920. 



11 ""/. — The wool niaikot during the past niontli has l)een ver^' depressed, 

 and of the 7000 bales of vSouth African wools offered at public auction on the 

 19th Jul}' only 430 bales were sold, although I understand a few hundred bales 

 were disposed of privately after the auctions. At the auction of Government- 

 owned Australian wools on the 6th to 16th July, want of confidence on the part 

 of buyers was most noticeable, and withdrawals were frequent, medium and 

 inferior wools at tiriies being quite unsaleable. Since the London auction 

 sales of Government-owned wools have been held at Liverpool, Hull, and 

 Antwerp, but large quantities were withdrawn, and the market still shows a 

 downward tendency. 



Mohair. — According to brokers' reports, the demand during the past week 

 has shown no signs of improvement, and very iew transactions have taken 

 l)lace. Many holders appear anxious to reduce tlieir stocks, and consequently 

 prices tend to weaken. There is a complete absence of mohair yarn orders, 

 with little to no likelihood of any improvement in the near future. 



Hides and Skins. — Auction sales were held during the past month, but the 

 result was most disappointing, and hardly any transactions took place. At the 

 time of writing the market is stagnant. The situation on the Continent is 

 having an adverse effect on the trade, and supplies of hides now in the United 

 Kingdom are more than the home trade can absorb. 



Sheei>skias. — The market is, to some extent, affected by the wool position, 

 and transactions are few and far between, and any demand is mainly for 

 combing wools, at a basis of value equivalent to about 2d. per lb. below that 

 of the May auctions. At the auctions held on the 16th July, combing wools 

 were in request at the above rate, but long wools were not wanted and declined 

 about 3d. per lb., or even more. 



Short and shorn were very weak, whilst lambs damaged wools and coarse- 

 wuollod skins were not in request. 



There was only a very small demand for Common Cape Glovers Skins at 

 the recent auctions. A few of the better grades were sold, but by-sorts and 

 damages were neglected. The nominal decline, according to brokers' reports, 

 was from 40s. to 50s. per dozen. 



Wattle Bark. — The market is very quiet, and chopped bark is being offered 

 at ;£lo per ton ex store. Large quantities, I understand, are in store either 

 at London, Southampton, or Liverpool, and until these are worked off there 

 does nut appear any immediate likelihood of prices showing an upward 

 tendency. 



Ostrich Feathers. — The market during the month was on the quiet side, but 

 a small amount of business was transacted at about previous rates. According 

 to the brokers the demand generally has been for medium quality wings, which 

 are needed for present requirements, whilst there has been some inquiry for 

 coloured feathers of all descriptions. 



Maize, Barley, and Oats. — The following " Baltic " report of the 5th August 

 indicates the position of the market: " Maize opened easier, but closed steadier, 

 the market having a better feeling in view of the fairly good demand for 

 Government stock. La Plate ex store selling at 66s., and to South Coast ports 

 at 65s. For parcels of La Plata c.i.f. August-September 60s. 6d. has been paid, 

 and 60s. for September-October. A cargo of Galatz/Foxanian, August-Septem- 

 ber, is held for 67s. Bristol Channel is bidding 62s. 6d. for La Plata parcels 

 July-August. Barley quiet and easier, with only a small trade done in No. 3 



