South African Produce on the Oversea Market. 871 



SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCE ON THE 

 OVERSEA MARKET. 



Extracts from Report of the Trade Commissioner 

 (dated 7th October, 1920). 



September, 1920. 



Wool. — The wool auctions during the month lasted from 22nd to 30th. 

 The total quantity of South African wool offered at these series was approxi- 

 mately 10,000 bales, but only about 1500 bales were disposed of, the remainder 

 baving to be withdrawn. For the best descriptions of snow-whites there was 

 practically no demand, and prices for these were quite 20 per cent, below those 

 obtained in August. Medium and inferior snow-whites declined fully 15 per 

 cent. There was a fair amount of competition for the better styles of long greasy 

 combing wools at about 10 per cent, reduction, but medium and short greasies 

 declined about 15 per cent. The feature of this sale was the absence of com- 

 petition for scoured South African wools, and the bulk of the offerings has been 

 withdrawn. As mentioned in the report for August, the wool market at that 

 time showed a downward tendency, and the result of the recent auctions has 

 more than confirmed the forecast. The tendency is for prices to go even lower. 

 It has been realized for some considerable time past that a decline 

 was bound to set in sooner or later owing to the unsettled state of 

 the market. Buyers have limited their purchases to a minimum and secured 

 only sufficient supplies to enable them to carry out the orders they have in 

 hand. Sales of Australian wools were held in Antwerp on the 23rd, and here 

 again prices ruled irregularly at from 5 to 10 per cent, below those obtained at 

 the previous sales on the 9th. It is evident that the market conditions on the 

 Continent closely resemble those in the United Kingdom, and buyers are only 

 purchasing sufficient wool for their immediate requirements. The following are 

 the current prices for South African wool as compared with those ruling during 

 ihe previous sales : — 



riirrPtit Pripf.5 Prices Current at 



current trices. Previous Series. 



per lb. per lb. 



50d.-59d. 61d.-80d. 



39d.-49d. 45d.-60d. 



30d.-38d. 36d.-44d. 



21d.-29d. 2Gd.-35d. 



17d.-27d. 21d.-31id- 



12d.-19d. 15d.-20d. 



14d.-19d. 16d.-22d. 



9d.-12d. lld.-15d. 



Snow-white, extra super, 20 per cent, cheaper ... 



Snow-white, super, 20 per cent, cheaper 



Snow-white, medium, 20 per cent, cheaper 



Snow-white, inferior, 20 per cent, cheaper 



Grease combing, long, 15 per cent, cheaper ... 

 Grease combing, medium, 15-20 per cent, cheaper 

 Grease clothing, light, 15 per cent, cheaper ... 

 Grease clothing, heavy. 15 per cent, cheaper ... 



Mohair. — The mohair market at the commencement of the month opened 

 with a downward tendency and business very restricted. The Bradford spinners 

 have only purchased sufficient to cover the orders they have in hand, which are 

 few and on the small side. Stocks of mohair in this country are large, and, 

 at the present rate of consumption, they will take some time to work off. The 

 market of late has been considerably depressed owing to the threatened coal 

 miners' .strike, but. apart from this, prospects are none too bright. It is not 

 anticipated that any material increase in the demand for mohair yarn will be 

 experienced for some little time to come. At the close of the month the 

 position of the market was practically unchanged. 



Hides. — Auction sales were held on the 9th, and a representative catalogue 

 of goods was placed before the trade. The result was again disap- 

 pointing, as only a few lots were sold. A small number of dry Cape hides 

 (thirds) were sold at lid. to 12d. per lb., but dry-salted were neglected. Since 



