FOREIGN TRADE IN FARM AND FOREST PRODUCTS. 9 



PACKING-HOUSE PRODUCTS. 



The exported products of the slaughtering, or " packing-house," 

 industry consist chiefly of fresh and cured meats, fats, and oils. The 

 exports reached their highest point about 10 years ago, and have 

 been on a general decline ever since. The total exports of beef and 

 pork exported in 1906 were 2,198 million pounds, which decreased to 

 less than one-half, or 1,070 million pounds, in 1914. The beef prod- 

 ucts increased from 33 million pounds during the five years, 1852- 

 1856, to 733 million pounds in 1906, and decreased to 148 million 

 pounds in 1914. The pork products increased from 104 million 

 pounds during the five years, 1852-1856, to 1,465 million pounds in 

 1906, and decreased to 922 million pounds in 1914. The value of the 

 packing-house products about equals the -value of the surplus cereal 

 products and exceeds the total value of all forest products exported- 



MEAT. 



The value of the meat exported has been many times the value of 

 the imports, but the imports of fresh meats in 1914 were in excess of 

 the exports, the imports being 197,472,887 pounds, valued at $17,079,- 

 442, and the exports 9,062,424 pounds, valued at $1,147,974. 



Beef. — The exports of beef and its products were more than 33 

 million pounds annually during the five years 1852-1856 ; increased to 

 71 million pounds during 1862-1866; to 219 million pounds during 

 1877-1881 ; to 639 million pounds during 1897-1901 ; and decreased to 

 448 million pounds during 1907-1911. The largest quantity exported 

 for any one year was 733 million pounds in 1906, decreasing to 148 

 million pounds in 1914. 



The imports of beef and its products were 1,875,000 pounds, valued 

 at $45,000, in 1900; 11,188,000 pounds, valued at $1,108,000, in 1910; 

 and 185,381,000 pounds, valued at $15,884,000, in 1914. During 

 1914 Argentina supplied 59,775,000 pounds; the United Kingdom, 

 57,540,000 pounds; Uruguay, 25,903,000 pounds; Australia, 19,859,000 

 pounds; and Canada, 15,920,000 pounds. 



Canned beef. — The canned beef exported in 1887 was 43 million 

 pounds, which increased to 110 million pounds in 1891, and decreased 

 to 76 million pounds in 1903, and to 3 million pounds in 1914. The 

 United Kingdom has been our best market for canned beef, taking 

 about three-fourths of this product 20 years ago and about one-half 

 during the last five years. During the five years, 1910-1914, the 

 United Kingdom was the only country to which more than 1 million 

 pounds were consigned for any one year, the range being from 9 

 million pounds in 1910 to 1 million pounds in 1914. 



Cured or pickled beef. — The cured beef exported in 1866 amounted 

 to 19 million pounds, which increased to 98 million pounds in 1890, 

 4251°— Bull. 296—15 2 



