Reference to previous Report, Annual Series No. 4200.

Report on the Trade of the Consular District of Progreso for the Year 1909

By MR. CONSUL A. PEIRCE.

Business during the year 1909 has been on much more solid lines than of late, as the effects of the hard times experienced in 1907 are but slowly passing. The smaller volume of importations, more in tone with the actual requirements of the State of Yucatan, have tended to place credit on a better foundation than was the case in 1907. Added to this, a slightly improved value in price of sisal hemp, although this was brought about by speculation or manipulation, has notwithstanding made a good impression on local business, although the foundation for same is far from solid and may lead to complications later on. Should the price of sisal fibre return to its proper value, as compared with other fibres, such complications may be looked for.

The whole State has been singularly free from epidemics during 1909, and the scourge of yellow fever appears to be under control of the local faculty, the fatal cases during 1909 having been exceedingly few.

Imports. Data are obtainable at the moment only for the first six months of 1909.

Total imports from foreign countries, January to June, 1909, are valued at about 24,000.

Total imports from foreign countries, January to June, 1908 amounted to about 26,1707.

Total imports from foreign countries, January to June, 1907, amounted to about 51,8521.

Corn or maize.-The State of Yucatan produced sufficient to supply its needs for the whole of 1909, and will in all probability have enough for 1910, if the locusts, at present in the State, do not cause. too great havoc.

Shipping and navigation.-The amount of British shipping that entered the port of Progreso during 1909 from foreign countries and the United Kingdom was as follows:

Entered with cargoes, 11 steamers of 29,509 tons from the United Kingdom and 12 steamers from Canada of 24,228 tons.

Cleared with cargoes, the same number of steamers and tonnage for Canada, and for the United States 48 steamers of 77,547 tons.

FOREIGN Vessels which Called at the Port of Progreso during the

Exports. The total value has shown a slight decrease over 1908, the decline being due to the reduced amount of sisal fibre exported. Some 80 per cent. of this fibre goes to the United States for use in making binder twine.

Hemp to Canada.-The following are the number of bales sent to Canada during 1907-09:

The decline in number of bales shipped to Canada during 1909 is due to the enhanced price of Yucatan hemp, which has given rise to an increased consumption of Manila fibre for the making of binder twine.

Sisal hemp.-The exports for 1909 have been much reduced owing to the fact just noted, that is, the high price at which speculators have put the fibre as compared with Manila hemp, which is of a superior quality and its price has been ruling lower than that of sisal. The result has been that considerable stocks were in the hands of speculators at the close of 1909, who were obliged to sustain the high prices to protect their accumulations.

EXPORTS of Hemp from Progreso during the Years 1907–09.

EXPORTS of Hemp from Progreso during the Years 1907-09-contd.

Other exports.-Several articles are exported, but all on a minor scale. Mexican dollars (silver) are not now exported.

Chicle or chewing gum.-The total amount exported during 1909 was about 194 tons, English weight.

Yellow fever. The comparative figures for the years mentioned

are:

Principal exports from the port of Campeche during 1909 were as follows, compared with 1908:

* Bales.

NOTE. The apparent decrease in production of chicle in 1909 as compared with 1908 arises from a considerable quantity of gum not arriving in time for shipment, due to the bad condition of the roads.

LAGUNA DE TERMINOS, STATE OF CAMPECHE.

Principal articles exported during the year 1909:—

Chicle
Mahogany
Logwood ...
Cocoanuts...

Number

502,602

54,854

5,084,318

133,600

The shipping consisted of 54 steamers and 18 sailing vessels, with a total tonnage of 39,807 tons.

QUINTANA ROo.

The small port of Xcalak is but a calling place for local shipping under sail, trading with the coast places on the extreme east coast of Yucatan and the colony of British Honduras.