30 THE CUBA REVIEW 
PRODUCTION OF BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES IN CUBA 
The principal dealers in Cuban blackstrap molasses state that a fair average 
analysis of this product will show 10 to 17 per cent. water, 56 per cent. Clerget sugars, 
16 per cent. glucose, and the remainder fiber, gums, and salts, these last named being 
by-products which are not now utilized. 
ESTIMATE OF ALCOHOL DISTILLED—PROBABLE DEMAND FOR 
BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES 
It is claimed that hate an eflicient process the average gallon of blackstrap 
molasses will distill from 0.3 to 0.5 gallon proof alcohol, It would therefore appear 
that few products are better adapted to the manufacture of alcohol. 
Producers and dealers in this district express the opinion that the demand for 
blackstrap molasses will steadily increase, especially if alcohol comes into general 
use as a substitute for gasoline in running motors. Moreover, it is believed that the 
esrowing demand for the use of raw molasses in the manufacture of certain stock 
foods will offset the loss of the market occasioned by the prohibition of the manu- 
facture of alcoholic beverages in the United States. 
USE OF MOLASSES AS FUEL BY SUGAR MILLS—NECESSITY FOR FAIR 
MARKET PRICH 
Due to the high price of sugar as compared with that of molasses, this latter 
product is often burned by the sugar mills as fuel in connection with other refuse, 
instead of being stored by them until shipment can be made, 
A proper interest in the storage and conservation of blackstrap molasses by the 
sugar mills depends largely on the offering of a fair market price; and if excessive 
profits are gained by any of the parties handling the product, the margin will become 
too narrow to be profitable to the others. 
ESTIMATED PORT STORAGE CAPACITY 
A more careful conservation would also create a demand for steel storage fans 
both at the sugar mills and various points of shipment. It is stated that the port 
of Matanzas has storage capacity for over 16,000,000 gallons; Havana, 8,000,000 ; 
Cienfuegos, 6,000,000; Santiago de Cuba, Monaco, Jucaro, Antilla, Nuevitas, and 
Puerto Padre 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 each; Boqueron, Caibarien, and Sagua, under 
2,000,000 gallons each. Important improvements are under way at Matanzas and if 
is believed additional storage will soon be available at that point. Shippers of 
molasses claim a total of approximately 765 tank cars of 5,000 gallons each, and the 
United Railways have available some 40 tank cars of less capacity. 
HXPORTS OF CUBAN ESTIMATED PRODUCTION OF 1920 
The following figures given by the Cuban Government cover the quantities of 
molasses exported during the years 1917 and 1918, also the first six months of 1919. 
Statistics beyond this date are not yet available. It is, however, estimated that the 
production for 1920 has reached 180,000,000 gallons; of this amount probably 20,000,- 
000 to 30,000,000 gallons have been used locally in the manufacture of fuel alcohol: 
+ 
4 
4d 71> 
. 1917 1918 1919* 
From— Gallons Gallons Gallons 
5 oe 1,078,903 978,090 1,302,400 
er 45,149,480 43,587,569 11,992,540 
oo Se 2,404,508 3,692,723 2,756,861 
ee pears 14,879,142 16,990,893 5,819,859 
a 6,000,000 4.975,000 1,000,000 
0 Ee 3,923,832 2,208,143 886,000 
el. 13.244. See 
Matanzas se ww ees cee ese ee 71,069,082 66,377,987 15,191,722 
SUMS 2s. 6 Bat ooc oe ee 1,906,972 10,726,289 4,302,080 
GSR! 94 3a eee » c\sialers:o LOC 3,570,000 Ledcoten 
THUGS TTY Lets Dey 4 i ee, a Ng 46,362,531 4,824,514 683, 517 
