World Production Of

Soya Beans

rpHE world production of soya beans A during 1940 was about 2 per cent. above 1939 output, according to the “Grain. Seed and Oil Reporter” (Lon don), in April, though the journal did not give the exact figures.

Of the main exporting countries, China had the largest crop for four years. Manchurian trade sources re ported that production there amounted to 140,000.000 bushels against 125,000,000 bushels the previous year. American output, affected by drought, was smaller by 11.000,000 bushels. Production in the Danube Basin continued the upward trend begun several years ago.

Japan and Germany are the largest buyers of soya beans—most of the Man churian crop going to Japan, while the Nazis take the bulk of the Danube pro duction and a little from Manchuria.

Incidentally, the territory from whence about 80 per cent, of the Danube crop comes was included in Bessarabia, the area ceded by Rumania to the Soviet Union earlier this year.

In normal times, the production of soya beans is one of the factors directly affecting the copra market—and the price Islands planters receive.