THE CUBA REVIEW 29 
WORLD’S 1920-21 SUGAR CROP ESTIMATES 
The world’s sugar crop estimate for 1920-21 is over 1,700,000 tons greater than 
the production of 1919-20. While definite advices have been received from many 
sources, some of the reports are only partial and are subject to adjustment, and it 
must be understood that in a great many instances there are still two or three months 
of growing weather that can materially affect the present outlook. Under such con- 
ditions these crop estimates must be looked on as more of an indication than an 
estimate, but nevertheless they are quite valuable in determining what the prospects 
of supplies are for the next sugar year. Very frequently these indications give quite 
accurate results, and the final outturn of the crops do not vary much from the indica- 
tions given. 
; CANE CROPS—EUROPEAN BEET CROP 
As regards Cuba, while the usual inquiries have been sent to the factories, reports 
are coming in very slowly, due perhaps to the unsettled financial situation there. The 
centrals hesitate in giving any indication of their probable output until conditions 
improve. The Cuban weather during the growing season has been favorable in the 
western half of the Island; the eastern half has been lacking somewhat in rainfall. 
Santa Clara Province was affected by a light rainfall. Increased planting has been 
reported in a number of sections. Ten or twelve new factories that are either complete 
or under construction may add something over last year’s production. For the present 
the Cuban crop indication can be placed at 4,000,000 tons. 
San Domingo and the British West Indies have all been affected by a more or 
less serious drought during the growing season and in some cases crops are reduced.. 
The weather in Porto Rico has been irregular, but no material change is expected in 
the production. Formosa and Japan will show increased outputs. Dry weather 
prevailed in Natal and the Fiji Islands. 
Our preliminary figures issued several months ago, based on sowings, are not 
likely to be attained in the Huropean beet crop. Many contributing circumstances 
have been the cause; partly irregular growing weather, lack of coal, transport ma- 
terials, labor, etc. Our figure for Germany, based on a yield per hectare much below 
a normal acreage, indicated on the area planted a crop of 1,300,000 tons, but even 
the low yield per hectare used by us will not be reached, and it is hardly likely that 
a crop in excess of 1,150,000 tons will be made in that country. Similar conditions 
obtain in Czecho Slovakia; latest official advices from there-state the crop would 
reach only 650,000 tons raw value. France is showing quite an improvement over 
the preceding crop and will probably have a production of 100,000 tons more than 
its last one. Spain also shows a material increase. 
AMERICAN AND CANADIAN BEET CROPS 
Regarding conditions in the United States, the output of the beet crop in Ohio 
is estimated at 45,000 tons, Michigan at 145,000, Colorado 250,000, Nebraska 75,000, 
Utah, 140,000, Idaho 50,000, and California 151,000. In this last state the campaign is. 
so nearly over that the figure given will be very close to the actual outturn. The 
production of the various other states going to make up the estimate totals 94,000 tons. 
The above estimate is freely confirmed by the United States Government, which 
estimates the crop of beet roots as of November 1 as 8,812,000 tons. Using an average 
yield of the past three years (including last year’s poor outturn) gives a crop indi- 
cation of 900,000 tons. This year’s yield will exceed the three years’ average materially, 
according to present prospects. eee 
According to advices, prospects in Canada are very good, and with the material 
increase in sowings the indications are that a crop of at least 35,000 tons will be made. 
