FOREIGN FISHERY-TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES. 



485 



V.— MACKEREL. 



General trade since 1884. — Notwithstanding the large catch of mack- 

 erel in this country, the demand for this fish has for many years 

 exceeded the domestic supply. During the last ten years the imports 

 for consumption have been 739,530 barrels, valued at $7,898,911, while 

 the exports have been only 89,528 barrels, worth $050,812, an average 

 annual balance of 05,000 barrels and $724,210. During 1891 the prod- 

 uct of salt mackerel in the United States was 40,321 barrels, while 

 the excess of imports over exports amounted to 91,012 barrels, giving 

 an aggregate consumption in this country of 137,933 barrels. This 

 represents 41 per cent of the world's product, the latter approximating 

 338,880 barrels in 1894. 



The annual imports of brine-salted mackerel since 1820 are shown in 

 Tables 5, 0, and 10, on pages 441, 443, and 447; the exports for the 

 same period are included in the classification " pickled or brine-salted," 

 as given in Tables 20 and 23, on pages 404 and 407. 



In addition to brine-salted mackerel, quantities of fresh and canned 

 mackerel are imported. The value of the former ranges from $20,000 

 to $80,000 annually, and the latter from $1,000 to $0,000. For a state- 

 ment of the quantities and values of each of these products imported 

 for consumption during a series of years, see pages 445 and 448. 



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

 quantity and value of brine-salted mackerel imported for consumption, 

 the quantity and value of domestic mackerel exported, the balance of 

 trade, and average value per barrel of imported and exported mackerel: 



33. Statement of the foreign trade in brine-salted mackerel during the ten years ending 



June 30, 1S94. 



Table 34 exhibits the extent of trade in brine-salted mackerel with 

 each foreign country during the ten years ending June 30, 1894, and 

 the average value per barrel of imported and of exported mackerel. 

 The imports from Europe during this period amounted to 201,8G9 bar- 

 rels, and from the British North American Provinces, 592,30G barrels. 

 The exports are sent principally to Haiti, British West Indies, and 

 the United States of Colombia. During the ten years in question the 

 average value of the imported mackerel was $10.38, and of the exported 



