Prices in 1921
In their review for 1921 Sir W. Royse & Ca., Manchester, state with regard to sundries American pearl starch has been in good supply during the year and values have fallen from £27 in January to about £12 10s. Od. per ton. Prices stiffened somewhat during the summer with an improved demand but fell away again and last month were as low as £11 per ton. Farina has fluctuated during the year—in January Dutch makes were offering at £26 per ton in store and this is about the price to-day. In August and September, howe with the drought on the Continent and absence of supplies from Japan, the price was as high as £32 per ton, Dextrine has been in steady request but business latterly has been confined to the cheaper maize qualities. The returns show imports of starch, dextrine and other farinaceous materials for this year 70,863 tons, value £1,400,062 as against 77,936 tons, value £3155,053 for last year.
China clay has been in only limited demand, the home trade having been poor and several important foreign markets being stall impracticable. There have, however, recently been increased shipments to America which have helped to reduce stocks somewhat. British makers of sulphate of barytes have had to meet keen competition from Continental supplies, and the price for best white is now £6 as compared with £9 10s. Od. a year age. Blane fixe has also fallen considerably, the figures for pulp being above £17 per ton in January compared with about £11 per ton today. American turpentine has fluctuated considerably during the year. It was selling at about £100 12 months ago, but fell to about £55 per ton in March. A temporary shortage advanced the figure to about £115 in July, since when it has eased to £67 10s. Od. per ton. During the season there was a good demand for superphosphotes and heavy shipments arrived from the Continent.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.