Quantity of Wheat and Wheaten Flour (as wheat) imported into the United Kingdom from various sources during the calendar year 1900, together with the average rate of freight.

1900.

Countries of Origin.Quantities.
Qrs. 480 ℔
Ocean Freight
to United
Kingdom.
Per 480 ℔.
Total Cost
of Ocean
Carriage.
s.   d.£
Atlantic America11,171,1002   31,257,100
South Russia569,0002   262,000
Pacific America2,389,9008   1966,000
Canada1,877,1002   8250,000
Rumania176,4002   622,000
Argentina and Uruguay4,322,3004   101,045,000
France251,9001   316,000
Bulgaria and Rumelia30,6002   64,000
India2,2004   0400
Austria-Hungary389,3001   934,000
Chile600....
North Russia462,7001   635,000
Germany438,7001   633,000
Australasia883,9006   5284,000
Minor Countries225,1002   628,000
Total23,190,800Average 3s. 6d.£4,036,500

Comparing these figures with a similar statement for the year 1872, the most remote year for which similar facts are available, it will be found that the actual total cost per quarter for ocean carriage has not much decreased.

Quantity of Wheat and Wheaten Flour (as wheat) imported into the United Kingdom from various sources during the calendar year 1872, together with the average rate of freight.

1872.

Countries of Origin.Quantities.
Qrs.
Ocean Freight
to United
Kingdom.
Per qr.
Total Cost
of Carriage.
s.   d.£
South Russia3,678,0008   61,563,000
United States2,030,0006   6659,000
Germany910,0002   091,000
France660,0003   099,000
Egypt536,0004   6120,000
North Russia490,0002   049,000
Canada400,0007   6150,000
Chile330,00012   0198,000
Turkey195,0007   672,000
Spain130,0003   623,000
Scandinavia160,0002   016,000
Total, Chief Countries9,519,000Average 6s. 5d.£3,040,000

N.B.—A trifling quantity of Californian and Australian wheat was imported in the period in question, but the Board of Trade records do not distinguish the quantities, therefore they cannot be given. The freight in that year from those countries averaged about 13s. per quarter.

The exact difference between the average freight for the years 1872 and 1900 amounts to about 2s. 11d. per quarter (480 ℔), a trifle in comparison with the actual fall in the price of wheat during the same years.

The following data bearing upon the subject, for selected periods, are partly taken from the Corn Trade Year-Book:—