Copra

Prices During World War Ii

The copra market was controlled by Govern ments from outbreak of war in 1939 until the end of the war in 1945. Controls are still being exercised in the post-war period.

London Fixed Price, per ton, c.i.f., Plantation Hot-air:

From January 1, 1949, the British Ministry of Food is buying Fiji copra at a fixed price of £4B Stg. (£PS4 or £A6O) throughout 1949. For each subsequent year until the end of 1957 the price will be adjusted by negotiation, but will not be more than 10 per cent, higher or lower than the preceding year.

New Hebrides From a maximum of £7O/12/6 (Aust.), per ton, early in 1948, the price of New Hebrides copra has firmed to around £5O (Aust.) per ton.

Western Samoa Canadian buyers are paying £53 (£66 Aust.) per ton in Apia for Samoan copra.

Territory Of New Guinea

ANGPCB Fixed Price, Delivered to Ship’s Slings: Hot-air Smoked Jan. 7, 1947 .. .. £2B 0 0 £27 0 0 June 17, 1947 ... £3l 2 0 Nov. 23, 1947 ... £35 10 0 April 8, 1948 ... £4O-£45 (According to quality) All prices quoted are for copra delivered to ship’s slings, or to the Board’s warehouse.

October. 1939—January, 1940 Sterling . £12 7 6 January-Aprll, 1940 13 5 0 After April. 1940 .. 12 17 6 Fiji Local Buying Price in Store, Fiji Currency.

June, 1942 Plant’n £16 0 0 £15

Fms

0 0 July, 1942 16 12 6 15 12 6 June, 1944 19 10 0 18 0 0 October. 1944 .. 20 0 0 18 10 0 December, 1945 19 7 6 17 17 6 January, 1946 .. 18 5 6 18 0 0 August. 1946 .. 23 10 6 23 5 0 February, 1947 . .. 29 15 6 29 10 0 June 9. 1947 .. 36 19 0 36 13 6 December 8. 1947 . 38 5 6 38 0 0 March 15, 1948 .. 46 5 6 46 0 0

Official Price for NG Copra sold in Sydney.

Hot-air Dried Smoked January, 1947 . .. £36 10 0 £35 10 0 July. 1947 £51 5 0 £50 5 0 April. 1948 £61 0 0 £60 0 0