FOREIGN FISHERY-TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES. 



475 



IV.— COD, HADDOCK, HAKE, AND POLLOCK. 



General statements of trade. — Dried cod was the first domestic fishery 

 product exported from the United States. In 1774 the value of the 

 exported cod was $1,000,000, constituting one-sixth of the whole com- 

 merce of the United States. In 1801 the domestic exports of the United 

 States were valued at $11,467,477, of which the exports of cod amounted 

 to 507,825 quintals, with a valuation of $2,400,000, this being the largest 

 quantity ever exported from this country during any one year. 



While large quantities of cured cod and similar fish are now imported 

 for consumption in this country, yet the imports are exceeded by the 

 exports. During the ten years ending June 30, 1894, imports of dried 

 cod for consumption amounted to 106,377,903 pounds, valued at 

 $3,352,739, while the domestic exports were 162,600,083 pounds, worth 

 $7,370,841, an excess of 56,222,120 pounds and $4,018,102, an aver- 

 age of 5,622,212 pounds and $401,810 per year. This average excess is 

 somewhat reduced, owing to the large imports of 1885, the last year in 

 which the Washington treaty was operative. Considering only the last 

 nine years, the average annual excess of the exports over the imports 

 for consumption has been 7,818,868 pounds and $470,706. The annual 

 product of dry-salted cod in the United States is about 65,000,000 

 pounds, valued at $2,600,000. 



The following table shows for the ten years ending June 30, 1894, the 

 quantity and value of the dry-salted cod imported for consumption, 

 the quantity and value of the domestic exports, the balance of trade 

 each year, and the average value per 100 pounds of imported and of 

 exported fish. The extent of the imports of dried cod from 1821 to the 

 present time is shown in the general tables of imports on pages 441-446. 

 The domestic exports of cod are contained in Tables 19 and 20 on 

 pages 462-464. 



27. Statement of the codfish trade during a series of ten years ending June 30, 1S94. 



Note. — In balance of trade, + indicates excess of imports over exports, and — indicates excess of 

 exports over imports. 



