FISHERIES AND MARKET FOR FISHERY PRODUCT'S IN MEXICO, ET(\ 13 



This is imported in tins containing 5 or 10 packages and is retailed 

 in 1 -pound or in 1-kilo packages, at the rate of 55 cents, United 

 States currency, per pound. Dried fish from Vera Cruz and Man- 

 zanillo is also consumed to a small amount by certain classes. 



United States exporters control the market for salmon. About 

 5,000 cases, valued at $25,000, are imported annually from the 

 United States. Most of the imported varieties are known as ''pink" 

 and "chum," there being little demand for the "red." 



It is estimated that 7,000 cases of sardines, valued at $40,000, are 

 imported annually. Spain supplies 1,000 cases of the better grade 

 sardines preserved in olive oil, and the United States 6,000 cases of 

 sardines preserved in tomato and cotton-seed oil. All of these are 

 packed in J-pound tins, with the exception of the variety known as 



California, the weight of which is 15 ounces. Spain commands 

 the market for the better grades preserved in olive oil, because the 

 prices are nearly 50 per cent less than American sardines preserved 

 m olive oil. The United States commands the market for the 

 cheaper grades preserved in tomato or cotton-seed oil, six cases of 

 American sardines being sold to one case of Spanish. There appears 

 to be a decided preference for the Spanish sardine by the more 

 exacting, and this preference can not be overcome till the American 

 exporter offers sardines of a better grade preserved in olive oil at 

 prices as reasonable as those of the Spanish product. 



MANZANILLO. 



[By Stephen E. Agnirre, vice consul, October 14, 1921.] 



The fishermen of this district do not go to sea to fish, as is customary 

 in other parts of the world, except during the holy weeks. Because 

 of the large demand in this district for fish and the decidedly high 



f trices paid there should exist a very good opportunity on this coast 

 or the development of a first-class fishery. There are no fishery 

 products other than for local consumption. Such fish as is consumed 

 locally or shipped in small quantities to Colima or Guadalajara 

 during holy week is caught by a few natives who use fishing lines 

 in the absence of suitable nets. No methods of curing fish for 

 market are employed, since nothing but fresh fish are shipped. Only 

 small quantities of fresh fish are exported from the district and those 

 only to interior Mexican cities. 



Canned salmon and sardines imported through this port to cities 

 in the interior of Mexico come from the United States. Recently a 

 shipment of 2,250 cases of canned salmon, valued at $6,579 United 

 States currency, was brought to this port. Imported fish products 

 are not reexported. Fish products imported to this port from the 

 United States predominate over foreign goods because of the short 

 distance to American markets as compared with Spain, Italy, or 

 France. Until a fishery is established at this port or on the west 

 coast of Mexico American fish products will find a ready market, and 

 the present volume of business can be increased by the establishment 

 on the Mexican west coast of a central distributing point for American 

 products, the location of which should be carefully selected. Mer- 

 chants in Mexico who purchase large quantities of American canned 

 fish would no doubt increase such purchases if able to obtain these 

 goods at a Mexican port. 



