457 



IMPORTS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE IN 1899. 



Imports of live animals in 1899 showed some decline, 

 although this was more than counterbalanced by an increase 

 of dead meat. The cattle imported were fewer by over 

 •65,500, the United States and Canada, which send over 

 four-fifths of our supply, accounting for nearly the whole of 

 the reduction on the year, the receipts from Argentina, the 

 only other important source of supply, being but 4,000 less 

 ■than in 1898. The sheep received in the United Kingdom 

 were also less by 56,000 than in 1898 ; the shipments 

 from Argentina, whence the largest number of live sheep 

 now come, account for the entire fall. A decrease of over 

 20,000 from the United States is balanced by an increase 

 from Canada. The average value per head of imported cattle 

 was, however, somewhat higher than in 1898, being £17, as 

 •against ;£i6 10s. ; and, in the case of sheep, 31s., as against 

 29s. 8d. 



All kinds of dead meat, except salted beef, showed an 

 increase. In fresh beef the augmentation was as much as 

 700,000 cwts., or nearly 23 per cent. The United States 

 furnished nearly three-fourths of the fresh beef ; but Aus- 

 tralasia and other countries also shared in the increase. 

 The value per cwt., which works out to 38s. 8d., was about 

 6d. higher than in 1898. The total increase in the imports 

 •of fresh mutton was only 4 per cent., both Australasia and 

 Argentina, which supply more than 90 per cent, of this kind 

 of meat, contributing to the advance. The rise in the value 

 •of imported mutton to 31s. 7d. per cwt. is substantial, and 

 represents an advance of 2s. over the value of 1898. The 

 20 per cent, increase in the imports of fresh pork is not due 

 to the United States, which, however, well maintained its 



