FISHERIES AND MARKET FOR FISHERY PRODUCTS IN MEXICO, ETC. 27 



General figures recently published by the statistical bureau of 

 Panama show total imports of fish for 1920 to have been 1,057,604 

 pounds, valued at $177,625, and for the first half of 1921 to have 

 been 601,729 pounds, valued at $66,385. A larger proportion of 

 fish and fishery products is imported from the United States than 

 the general average for all commodities. Some shipments of dried 

 fish and shellfish, msignificant in comparison with total imports, are 

 obtained from China and Japan, and small quantities of certain fish 

 products not obtainable in the United States are imported from 

 other countries. 



The varieties of fish most in demand are cod, salmon, sardines, 

 mackerel, herring, and preserved shellfish, the last item including 

 principally shrimp. Cod, mackerel, and salmon in barrels are ob- 

 tained chiefly from Halifax through commission agents in New York. 

 Salmon in cans is mostly shipped from San Francisco and sardines 

 in cans from San Francisco and New York. Shrimp in cans and 

 dried shi'imp in barrels come principally from New Orleans. 



The preference shown for Halifax cod, mackerel, and salmon is 

 due mainly to their being cheaper than American products, prices 

 being about $10 less per barrel, although it is claimed by local dealers 

 that the Halifax cod is of a quality which sells better in this market. 

 Halifax cod contains the bone and is purchased dried in barrels of 

 300 pounds. Boneless cod of the description sold largely in the 

 United States is stated to be unsuited to the requirements of the local 

 market. The present price of Halifax cod, shipments of which have 

 recently been received direct, is about $30 per barrel of 300 pounds, 

 c. i. f . Panama. There is no reexport trade m imported fish products 

 in this consular district. 



