Trade Boom Continues
p. 30 · Read in the full issue
In W. Samoa
Exports At All-Time High
APIA, July 11.
QTRIKING evidence of the present O prosperity of Western Samoa is offered by the trade statistics for the Territory for the calendar year 1947. The figures show an all-time record for ex ports as well as imports, and a very
healthy export surplus.
Export values, for the first time in Samoan history have exceeded the mil lion pound mark, amounting to £1,351,770 in 1947 as against £719,050 in 1946. Im ports amounted to £923,773 in 1947 as against £478,695 in 1946. Thus exports and imports have nearly doubled in value from 1946 to 1947. Comparable figures for the last full pre-war year (1938) are:— exports, £248,605; imports, £196,272; total trade, £444,877.
PRINCIPAL exports for the past two years are shown in the following table:—
IT will be noticed that from 1946 to 1947 exports of cocoa increased in volume by about 25 per cent, and copra by about 33/1-3 per cent., while exports of rubber, owing to unprofitable prices, decreased and banana exports also dropped, owing to producers concentrat
ing on the more profitable production of cocoa and copra.
Two new export industries—the pro duction of dessicated coconut, started in 1943, and dried bananas, started in 1946 —also showed increased export figures as follows:
Of the produce of Samoa, £671,558 in value was exported to the United King dom (mostly copra); New Zealand took £359,639 (cocoa and fresh and dried bananas and desiccated coconut); Aus tralia took £13,808 and the US of America took £299,803 (cocoa).
Of the total imports in 1947, £684,091 worth came from Britain and £239,682 from foreign countries. New Zealand takes first place with £289,892, followed by USA with 224.890; Australia, £133,396; United Kingdom, £120,671; Can
ada, £98,701; Fiji, £23,338; and British India, £12,927. Main imports from New Zealand were meat and dairy products; from USA, textiles, canned goods and fancy goods; from Canada, canned fish and lumber; from Fiji, brown sugar and biscuits; from United Kingdom, textiles.
Owing to unfavourable weather condi tions which have affected this year’s cocoa crop, exports, particularly of cocoa beans, are expected to be less than last year’s figures, and in consequence imports for 1948 will be correspondingly smaller.
Cocoa Copra Rubber Bananas Year Tons Value Tons Value Tons Value Cases Value £ £ £ £ 1946 .. 1,885 207,109 13,795 340,669 80 17,827 127,821 86,421 1947 . . 2,378 448,794 18,181 722,272 25% 3,941 101,754 70,317
Desiccated Coconut Dried Bananas Year Tons Value £ Tons Value £ 1946 .. .. .. .. 568 50,462 46 10,118 1947 .. .. . . .. 615% 79,249 83% 18,851