of milch and calving cows is due to the implementation of the scheme to combat TBC in cattle.
Prices of meat cattle continued at roughly the same level as in the previous year. Pig breeding
was retarded when in mid-March cattle fodder prices rose and the guaranteed price for bacon
pigs was not adapted in time. In the middle of the year a strong demand arose for meat
throughout the world. As a result pork prices advanced sharply. In order to fulfil the bacon
contract drastic action had to be taken in the matter of prices of non-bacon pigs (export levy on
bacon). In the latter half of the year conditions for pig breeders were satisfactory. The value of
bacon exports advanced from fl. 47 to fl. 81 million. Exports of meat and meat products rose
from fl. 98 to fl. 201 million.
Taken as a whole the results of poultry farming were less favourable than in 1950. The first
months of the year were good, but as a result of the import restrictions in Germany and the sharp
rise in the prices of feeding stuffs a gradual deterioration set in. There was a marked tendency to
select poultry stocks on the basis of remunerativeness. Despite the difficulties enumerated exports
of eggs increased in value from fl. 168 million in 1950 to fl. 191 million in 1951; exports to Germany
accounting for 90% of this figure. These splendid export figures should not, however, blind one
to the fact that in poultry farming the position has gradually become difficult owing to the high
costs of feeding stuffs and the increased import duties in Germany. The small farms are likely to
become the victims. This fact should be taken into account in the import and distribution of
feeding stuffs.
NUMBER OF LIVE STOCK
(in thousands)
The turnovers of the fruit and vegetable markets increased from fl. 331.5 million in 1950 to
fl. 379 million in 1951. The weight of the turnover of vegetables showed a slight fall; the volume
of fruit marketed was substantially higher. The value of vegetable exports rose from fl. 137 million
to fl. 163 million in 1951 and that of fresh fruit from fl. 50 to fl. 75 million. In the early part
of the year exports to Germany encountered severe difficulties, but fortunately there was an im-
provement in he second half of the year. Exports to Britain far surpassed expectations but the
import restrictions announced towards the end of the year represent a serious danger to fruit and
vegetable exports.
The system of support prices and selling prices has again operated satisfactorily. However, this
does not mean that in the event of a considerable stagnation in exports the adverse financial
results could be offset with these funds alone. Hence the need remains for spreading production
and sales. This calls for capital investment including the building of cold storage warehouses in
which connection the earmarking of an amount of fl. 5 million from the counter value account of
Marshall Aid as a guarantee fund to facilitate the financing of this capital investment will serve
a useful purpose.
For the bulb growers 1951 was an exceptionally good year. Exports reached a new record
of fl. 134.1 million as compared with fl. 112.6 million in 1950.
Producers of horticultural seeds and nurserymen are faced with a difficult economie position.
OPERATIONS BY THE AGRICULTURAL BANKS
The increased activity of agricultural banks is reflected in the rising turnovers. For savings and
current accounts combined these aggregated fl. 2,100 million in 1951 as against fl. 1,800 million in
1950. More than 95% of this rise is attributable to increased turnovers on current accounts. The
growth of these turnovers in relation to those on saving accounts therefore continues. In 1951 they
were 3.5 in 1950 2.9 times the total turnover on savings accounts. The turnover on current ac
counts represented nearly 78% of the total turnover.
(fl. thousands)
Savings Current Account Advances
THE TREND OF SAVINGS
The dissaving which started in agricultural banks in 1950 continued in the first half of the year
as a result of which withdrawals exceeded deposits by a total of fl. 18.5 million. In the latter half
of the year, however, this figure was reduced by fl. 15.1 million. Taking into account the savings
balance of fl. 0.6 million of a bank which joined us during the year, and the credited interest which
for 1951 can be put at fl. 11.5 million, the increase in the credit balance on savings account with
the affiliated agricultural banks is fl. 8.7 million.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF DAIRY PRODUCTION
(Index 1938= 100)
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
Total quantity of milk delivered
to dairy factories (milk-
fat equivalent)
85
103
109
106
Total butter production
73
86
95
85
Total cheese production
85
114
106
120
Other dairy products
28
47
79
107
117
The cattle stocks showed
a further increase during the
year. The small rise
in the
number
May
May
May
May
1939
1949
1950
1951
Cattle
2540
2723
2863
Milch and calving cows
1441
1518
1533
1298
1860
1935
Poultry
20265
23443
25335
TURNOVERS IN 1950 AND 1951 OF THE AFFILIATED AGRICULTURAL BANKS
Deposits Withdrawals Credited Debited Repaid Granted
1950 1951 1950 1951 1950 1951 1950 1951 1950 1951 1950 1951
lst Qu.
2nd Qu.
3rd Qu.
4th Qu.
57.693 54.984
69.733 62.578
50.344 55.214
51.553 65.144
49.494 64.188
70.037 71.954
59.103 49.881
57.436 55.331
133.399 162.986
181.513 211.234
184.346 243.705
161.733 217.058
133.411 173.446
174.723 210.320
186.052 228.054
172.717 217.555
1.630 1.983
1.664 2.492
1.632 2.325
2.927 4.823
5.414 9.743
6.563 12.126
7.441 9.150
9.933 10.754
Total
229.323 237.920
236.070 241.354
660.991 835.033
666.903 829.375
7.853 11.623
29.351 41.773
