Fill's Commerce Grows
p. 58 · Read in the full issue
Banana Industry Declines
From Our Own Correspondent
Suva, Nov. 29.
TTRADE figures for the first nine months * of 1937 (to September 30) show an increase of £209,594 in Fiji imports, while exports increased by £194,001, compared with the same period of 1936.
Higher export values are due more to the rise in prices for Islands produce rather than any increase in output.
Banana exports are still falling steadily in number and value, with little prospect of regaining their former levels.
Details are as follow:
Sugar
Exports
1936 80,382 tons £808,211 Copra 24,013 tons £266,170 Bananas 14,820 bunches [ £63.526 Molasses 114,640 cases f 16,102 tons £16,102 Gold 12,007 ozs. £92,205 Trochus Shell 162 tons £12,448 Other Articles — £90,314 Sugar 1937 80,892 tons £907,128 Copra 23,493 tons £344,621 Bananas 15,891 bunches [ £48,765 Molasses ... ... 101,885 cases 13,881 tons £13,881 Gold „.. 13,841 ozs. £107.546 Trochus Shell 139 tons £12,286 Other Articles — £108,745
Imports
1936 1937 Value £1,099,697 £1,309,291 Duty 302.897 338,032 Wharfage 9,237 10,257 Tonnage Duty 2,414 2,378
Total Trade
1936 1937 Exports ... £1,348,971 £1.542.972 Imports ... £1,099,697 £1,309,291 Total ... £2,448,668 £2,852,263 Excess of Exports £249.274 £233,681