ANTWERP AS A GRAIN MARKET.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1943, 17 May 1880, Page 3

ANTWERP AS A GRAIN MARKET.

[“ Evening Post."} In view of the large area of land in New Zealand now sown with corn for purposes of export, wheat especially, it is very important that the fact should not be lost sight of that other markets are available for our colonial produce besides those of Great Britain. The favorable position of Antwerp in this respect has just had pointed attention directed to it through a circular despatched by Messrs Berdolt and 00., of that city, to the Belgian consuls in the colonies. Mr Charles Johnston, who represents the kingdom of Belgium consularly in Wellington, has favored us with a copy of this document, which proves beyond contradiction that Antwerp has grown during the last few years into one of the largest corn markets in Europe. During the year 1879 Antwerp imported no less than 2,837,389 quarters of wheat, while London imported 2,835,128 quarters; Antwerp thus has actually overtaken and passed London in the quantity of wheat imported. The circular goes on to say :—“ Our trade, as shown by our imports in the years from 1870 to 1879, and especially by those of last year, is already sufficiently important to be worth tho while of shippers in all corn-growing centres to compete for a share of it. But they will have the more reason for doing so if they consider that this trade is as yet only in an early stage of its development, and that it bids lair to increase still very considerably. lu fact, Antwerp is not only the commercial emporium of Belgium; it is also the most favorably

situated port for a largo part of Germany and France. A glance at the map will show that our market extends far beyond our southern and eastern frontiers, and comprises large territories with dense industrious and wealthy populations which may be considered as our natural customers. No other continental port except Rotterdam, and that only as far as the navigation on the Rhine is concerned, can in these quarters compete successfully with us. Onr trade with them has augmented considerably, especially since the xmexation of Alsace-Lorraine to Gsrmany, which secured for us the cheapest, because it is the shortest, railway route to these provinces and to Switzerland. The consequent accession of trade is one of the chief reasons of the enormous increase of our corn exports.” In conclusion, Messrs Berdolt point out that “ the Continental corn trade is more and more deserving the full attention of grain shippers in all parts of the world, and that of all the European Continental markets whore an extensive and regular business in grain may bo done, the moat important is incontestably Antwerp.” These suggestions deserve full consideration at the hands of our commercial authorities.