42 MACARONI WHEAT IN FOREIGN MARKETS.

GREECE.

(From United States Consul McGinley, AY hens, Greece)

There are large quantities of macaroni wheat and flour imported
into Greece, mostly from Russia. Greece raises a small percentage
of the quantity of wheat annually consumed in the Kingdom, but
whether it raises any macaroni wheat I have not been able to learn.
Greece imports most of her breadstuffs, the largest of her customs
receipts being duties paid on imported cereals—principally wheat.
The prices of macaroni wheat and flour in this market are about the
same as are paid for other qualities of wheat and wheat flour.
The Greek customs and municipal tariffs on wheat amount in
the aggregate to 76 cents per 285 pounds, and good wheat is at
present quoted at from $4.75 to $5 per 285 pounds.
As the customs tariff on wheat flour is 12 paper drachmas ($1.50)
per 100 okes (285 pounds), very little of it is imported. The best
brands of American flour have been imported and greatly pleased
those desiring good grades of wheat flour, but the freight and tariff
thereon made it much too costly for this market. The best brands
of wheat flour are now retailing in this market for from $6.25 to $6.75
per 100 okes (285 pounds).
Under these conditions there seems to be a very small opening,
if any, for either wheat or flour from the United States in this
market. Russia’s large grain-shipping ports are so near that they
easily control the grain trade of Greece.
Daniel E. McGINLEY, Consul.
AtHENS, GREECE, November 7, 1903.

PATRAS.
(From United States Consul Long, Patras, Greece.)

From interviews with the leading millers and dealers in grain in
Patras I learn that it is scarcely possible under present tariff exactions
 for them to institute any traffic in American macaroni wheat.
Macaroni wheat is grown largely in Greece—mostly in Thessaly—
and macaroni is manufactured in this consular district.
The dealers, however, would gladly inspect any specimens of
macaroni wheat that might be sent here from the United States,
accompanied, if possible, by prices of the product.
James VERNER LONG, Consul.
Patras, GREECE, October 17, 1903.