1Does not include products of Cuba (duty less 20 percent) and the Philippine Islands (free).2For changes in rates, see p.105.3Preliminary.Source: Foreign Commerce and Navigation of the United States.
1Does not include products of Cuba (duty less 20 percent) and the Philippine Islands (free).
2For changes in rates, see p.105.
3Preliminary.
Source: Foreign Commerce and Navigation of the United States.
Table 52.—Crude glycerin: United States imports (for consumption) from Cuba, in specified years, 1919-37
1Trade agreement of ⁴⁄₁₀ cent per pound, effective Sept. 3, 1934.2Preliminary.Source: Foreign Commerce and Navigation of the United States.
1Trade agreement of ⁴⁄₁₀ cent per pound, effective Sept. 3, 1934.
2Preliminary.
Source: Foreign Commerce and Navigation of the United States.
Table 53.—Crude glycerin: United States imports (for consumption) from Philippine Islands 1925-37
1Preliminary.Source: Foreign Commerce and Navigation of the United States.
1Preliminary.
Source: Foreign Commerce and Navigation of the United States.
France has usually been the principal source of imports of crude glycerin, but since 1935 Cuba has ranked first. Cuban imports enter at a preferential rate of duty (0.8 cent per pound on crude until September 3, 1934, when it was reduced to 0.4 cent). Receipts from the Philippines are duty-free. Imports by countries for recent years are given in table98, page151.
The Netherlands has generally been the chief source of imports of refined glycerin, although the United Kingdom was first in 1934 and 1935 and France first in 1937. Imports by countries for recent years are given in table99, page152.
Exports of glycerin are insignificant compared with production and are small compared with imports. They go chiefly to Mexico and Canada, and, at times, also to Cuba, the Philippines, and Chile. Geographic propinquity is probably the principal factor accounting for these exports, although it is possible that some exports aredestined to foreign branch factories of an American company for making dynamite.
Crude and refined grades were not separately distinguished in export statistics, but it is known that exports consist principally, if not entirely, of the refined. In 1933 and 1934 glycerin exports were not reported. Statistics of exports are given in table54.
Table 54.—Glycerin: United States exports, in specified years, 1919-37
1Not reported separately.2Preliminary.Source: Foreign Commerce and Navigation of the United States.
1Not reported separately.
2Preliminary.
Source: Foreign Commerce and Navigation of the United States.
Glycerin occurs in chemical combination in animal and vegetable oils and fats. Since it is obtained as a byproduct, the output is dependent primarily upon the output of the major products, soaps and fatty acids, and its production is largely independent of demand. At low prices, however, less glycerin is recovered.
The United States usually consumes more glycerin than it produces (see table55), whereas leading European producing nations produce more than they consume. In recent years the domestic production has apparently been approaching domestic requirements. A factor tending to decrease demand is the increasing resort to substitutes in various uses, particularly ethylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, and methyl alcohol. On the other hand, the demand in the resin industry is expanding rapidly.
Table 55.—Refined glycerin: United States production, imports, exports, and apparent consumption, in specified years
1From table48(refined basis).2From table51(refined).3From table54(grade not specified, but chiefly refined).4Production plus imports minus exports.5Not available.6Preliminary.
1From table48(refined basis).
2From table51(refined).
3From table54(grade not specified, but chiefly refined).
4Production plus imports minus exports.
5Not available.
6Preliminary.
Up to 1924 (except 1920) imports consisted principally of crude glycerin, much of which was refined in the United States and included in United States production; thereafter imports of refined glycerin became important relative to the crude. Exports are insignificant compared to either production or imports.