ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE MOLASSES TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES.

The great bulk of the imports of foreign molasses is absorbed by refiners, grocers buying only the high grades, the actual consuming demand being diverted more and more to Louisiana molasses and the syrups of sugar refiners. Distillers, who in former years bought largely of the low grades of foreign, are now seldom in the market, being enabled to supply their wants from the common kinds of sugarhouse molasses at low prices.

Of the whole production of Cuba in 1872, say 200,000 tons, this country received about 91 per cent. against the same per centage in 1871, and 85 per cent. in 1870 and in 1869.

In the industry of refining sugar from molasses, Philadelphia has taken a decided lead the past year. Portland is also again in the field for the first since the destructive fire there, and the imports at New-Orleans last year were much larger than before; Baltimore varied but little, while at all the other ports, New-York included, there was a decided falling off in the business of importation.

In addition to the consumption of cane molasses, as we have already noted, the consumption of sugar-house molasses and syrups is very large; and if we add that of sorgo and maple syrup, the consump tion of the country of all kinds last year undoubtedly exceeded one hundred millions of gallons. Statistics show that our population possess a greater taste for sweets than any other on the face of the globe, the per capita consumption being greatly in excess of any other people.

The present outlook seems to indicate an increased want of foreign molasses for the year now entered upon, especially of the finer grades, as the crop of Louisiana now coming forward will be considerably less than that of the previous season, and a large class of consumers prefer the choice qualities of cane molasses to the best product of the sugar-house.

Turning now to our own port, we find that the direct imports of foreign molasses in 1872 was 15,307,618 gallons, against direct receipts in 1871 of 18,168,662 gallons; while the total receipts of foreign and domestic in 1872 were 17,354,138 gallons, against total receipts in 1871 of 20,841,632 gallons.

The consumption of this port of foreign in 1872 was 15,585,533 gallons, against a consumption in 1871 of 17,066,656 gallons; and the total deliveries of all kinds of cane molasses in 1872 was 17,454,053 gallons, against a total consumption in 1871 of 19,248,616 gallons, being a decrease in the consumption of foreign of about 83 per cent., and a decrease in the consumption of foreign and domestic of about 9 per cent.

From Cuba, our receipts in 1872 were a little larger than those of the previous year, but from Porto Rico and the British West Indies there was a large falling off, owing to the shortened crops of those islands. From St. Croix the importation in 1872 was but little more than one-third as large as that of 1871, then, however, ex

ceptionally arge.

crease.

From the minor islands there was also a de

The French islands increased their shipments hither in 1872 nearly fifty per cent.

The receipts of Louisiana were nearly one-third less last year than the year before, and the footing up shows a decrease in the receipts. of all kinds of nearly three and a half millions of gallons.

We notice, however, that the exports hence in 1872 were much less than those of 1871, and the stock left over at the close of 1872 was but little more than one-third as large as that held at the close of 1871; so that the decline in the consumption was not as large in 1872 as the import figures would seem to indicate. Of the whole import into the United States in 1872, New-York received about 35 per cent., against 434 per cent. in 1871.

The average prices for the year under review, as compared with the average of 1871, were lower on all kinds of foreign, say on Porto Rico, 3 cents per gallon less; Cuba Muscovado, 4; clayed Cuba, 33, and Barbadoes only three-eighths of a cent less, while Louisiana averaged 9 cents per gallon higher.

DELIVERIES FOR CONSUMPTION AT THIS PORT FOR THE PAST TWENTY TWO YEARS.

The year opened with a stock at this port of 8,033 hhds. West India and 5,123 bbls. Louisiana, the current prices being for Barbadoes, 31 @ 33 cents; Porto Rico, 28 @ 38; Cuba Muscovado, Refining grades, 23 @ 28; Grocery, do., 28 @ 33; Clayed Cuba, 23 @ 26, and New-Orleans, 48 @ 54; gold, 1094 @ 109. The month was a very quiet one, boilers waiting the receipt of new crop West India, and the trade giving their attention chiefly to Louisiana.

The business in February, in foreign descriptions, was also light; the new crop began to arrive, but only in small quantities, and those mostly imported direct by refiners. Louisiana in the meantime met with an improved demand, under which prices advanced during the month 5 @ 6 cents per gallon. The first arrival of new crop Cuba Muscovado occurred on the 6th February, quality good, and sold for refining at 35 cents.

The supplies of both old and new crop West India throughout March were light, and, with a good demand, prices advanced two

cents for new crop, while on Louisiana a further rise of 3 @ 4 cents was established, though towards the close, part of this was lost. The first new crop Porto Rico reached here on the 16th, and sold at 55 cents for choice. New crop West India flowed in in volume during April, and boiling grades receded one cent. At this decline there was a good business, with but little accumulation of stock. Louisiana fluctuated considerably this month, declining 5 cents, and then gradually advancing until this decline was fully regained.

During the first fortnight of May there was a fair business at steady prices, but subsequently the demand fell off, boilers being better supplied by their own imports, and prices yielded 1 @ 2 cents; on the other hand, New-Orleans sold freely, and, with a moderate stock, and that concentrated, prices ran up from time to time until the whole advance for the month was fully 10 cents per gallon.

June opened with some slight concessions in prices of foreign, which quickened the demand; but the labor strikes which occurred at this time among the Refiners' workmen, and unusually warm weather setting in, business was brought almost to a stand, and prices fell off 1 @ 2 cents. The course of New-Orleans throughout the month was still in sellers' favor, a further advance of 8 cents being established.

The market for nearly all July was very quiet; stocks, however, were not large, and prices of foreign underwent no radical change. New-Orleans became dull, and a decline of 5 @ 6 cents was submitted to.

The business was light in the early part of August, but with the approach of cooler weather, there set in a better demand, and with a scarcity of desirable grades for boiling, the market was very firm.

There was a demand all through September for Refining grades, but these were scarce, the 'stock being composed almost wholly of Grocery qualities, which were not wanted, and thus the business was very moderate, though prices were firm.

The features that predominated in September were still prominent in October, viz., a scarcity of boiling grades and an abundance of other qualities which were neglected, and which now fell off in price 4 @ 6 cents. New-Orleans also broke down 6 @ 10 cents, holders being anxious to quit stock before the advent of the new crop; on the 14th, the first of this arrived, 50 hf. bbls., and part sold at 90 @ 100 cents, but subsequently the price fell off to 82 cents.

Foreign descriptions ruled very quiet in November, the bulk of the stock still being of Grocery grades, which the trade bought sparingly of, their wants now being supplied with the new crop domestic; holders, however, were firm for West India, while Louisiana gave way 5 @ 6 cents.

The business throughout December was confined almost wholly to small purchases by grocers, refiners having suspended operations; stocks, however, were found to be light, and prices were maintained. New-Orleans came forward freely and declined 8 @ 12 cents, the month and year closing with a quiet but firm feeling. Stock, 2,995 hhds. West India, and 5,426 bbls. Louisiana.

B

THE RANGE OF PRICES AT NEW-YORK FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.

*Duty reduced on 1st January 1871, from 8 cents per gallon to 5 cents per gallon.

COFFEE TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES.

Annual Statement, showing the Import and Consumption of Coffee in the United States, for the year ending December 31, 1872, (exclusive of California and Oregon.)

Total direct,. 994,565 337,969 1,467 1,140 164,012,588 941,050 346,426 711 1,405 161,661,100

Received coast

3,892

45

::

379 216

2,790,420

1,089,306

11,137,610

1,415 39,433

940 5

918,640

10,146 2,400

Value of the direct receipts in 1872, as per Custom House returns,.

....

161,810,822

66

66

.....

in 1869, 152,344,774

66

66

in 1868,

....lbs. 3,441,606

66

941,520 348,476 711 1,405 | 161,810,822

lbs. 165,252,428 Total receipts in 1870,.lbs. 154,622,107

.....

164,434,774

in 1867,..... 148,961,351

Total packages received at New-York, direct and coastwise,

Deduct exports and shipments inland to Canada in 1872,..

.............