THE VENEZUELAN SALT-FISH INDUSTRIES 



may be attributed almost entirely to war conditions. Imports of fishery products (normally 

 about 8,000,000 pounds per year) have practically ceased. In addition, imports of inex- 

 pensive grades of canned meats and other protein foods have dwindled. The demands for local 

 meats and fish for export to nearby countries also has caused a considerable increase in 

 fish production for local sale. 



Assuming that the population of Venezuela is about 4,000,000 persons, 100,000,000 pounds 

 of fish as landed would result in a per capita availability of 25 pounds per year. It should 

 be stated, however, that the per capita consumption is much in excess of this quantity on 

 the coast and much less inland. 



Taking all of the foregoing factors into consideration, it is the opinion of the mission 

 that only the production in excess of 100 million pounds annually can be regarded as a true 

 exportable surplus. 



QUALITY OF PRODUCTS 



Salt-fish products have been a mainstay in the diet of Caribbean peoples for centuries. 

 The Caribbean Fishery Mission (1943) stated that normal imports prior to the war totaled 

 152,000,000 pounds. At the present average retail price of $0.15 per pound, this poundage 

 is valued at $22,800,000 to the consumer. Converted to equivalents in whole fresh-fish 

 and adding the normal catch of 161,100,000 pounds of the Caribbean countries, a total of 

 771,100,000 pounds of fish is consumed annually. The high consumption of salt-fish is due 

 in part to its cheapness when compared to other animal protein foods. Pound for pound, 

 dry salted fish furnishes from two to three times the amount of protein as do other types 

 of food such as beef and poultry. Therefore, peoples of the low-income groups will continue 

 to buy large quantities of salt-fish if it can be procured at reasonable prices. 



War-caused demands for salted fish and other dislocations have complicated conditions 

 to such an extent that there are indications that the traditional producers will not be 

 able to supply even their normal markets. New fish-producing areas must therefore be found 



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