Beet Sugar Competition

612 Words3 Pages
After 38 years (1838-1876) new developments have taken place in the economic sector. Sugar is no longer King. Not only has she been dethroned but the industry is facing serious difficulties and challenges that a mere introduction of laborers however massive did not solve. What were the factors that created difficulties for the sugar industry in the Caribbean in the last quarter of the nineteenth century? (1875-1900) (a) Britain's Free Trade Policy (Sugar Duties Equalization Act) came into full effect by 1854. Beet sugar from Europe paid the same duties as cane sugar from the West Indies. Transportation cost for beet sugar was minimal since it was grown in Europe. This made beet sugar much cheaper than cane sugar. The demand for cane sugar continued to fall from 1854. By the late 1890's, Britain was buying a little more than a quarter of what she bought in the 1850's. By the 1900's she was buying/importing less than ten percent (10%) Beet Sugar (b) Beet sugar enjoyed several advantages over cane sugar. The British government helped to pay for the cost of producing beet sugar. This is known as a subsidy. The governments of France, Austria, Holland, Belgium and Russia increased their assistance to the beet sugar industry in their respective country. This allowed them to afford technological and scientific improvements. This boosted production. (c) With the ever decreasing demand for cane sugar came a continuous fall in the price of cane sugar throughout this period. Between 1882 and 1896 the price of sugar fell by almost fifty per cent (50%) from 21 shillings to 11 shillings. Needless to say this negatively affected their profits. Profits also fell considerably. This forced more estates out of the market. (d) Strong competition from other crops that were being produced in the colonies. This helped to push up the wage level. In order to attract laborers
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