SHORTAGES OF PEANUT OIL AND ALCOHOL IN CANTON

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00047R000300510006-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 30, 2003
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: October 21, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

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Approved fRg?p,eAt 04/03/
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CENTRAL
INFORMATION REPORT
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SUBJECT Shortages of Peanut Oil and Alcohol in Canton NO OF PAGES 1
COUNTRY China
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF Ii Fa.MATION
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INIORYATIOS AFIECT INN THE NATIONAL DEIEN BE
OI TOE UNITED STATES NITO IS THE WE ANINOOT TITLE IS, SECTIONS 793
ANO 794, Of TOE U.S. COOS, ?S AWE NOE0. ITS TRIXSYISSION 0 BE YE
TIN 0 ITS CONTENTS TO 0 RECEIPT BY A NAUT HOR1EEE PER00N IS
PRONI BI TE0 BY LAW. THE REPRODUCTION CI TH II ID RY IS IROHIBITEO.
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
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Consumer goods began disappearing from the market in June 1953 as a result of
many mergers of small factories in Canton under government supervision. Many
analysts attribute the shortages to temporary cessation of production, others
to hoarding, andstill others to government control. The real cause is for the
moment hard to determine. Perhaps the causes vary from case to case, depending
on the nature of the shortage.
2. Peanut oil has been placed under government control all over Kwangtung Province
since the middle of March 1953.
a. Cause it has been reported that the Soviet -
Government hasAdded peanut 631 to its list of "wanted" products from China.
b. Reulations in Canton
(1) inventory of existing supplies in wholesale and retail stores
(2) prohibition of "home brewing" of peanut oil
(3) rationing of peanut oil - one-half catty per head each month
c. More acute shortage since July 1953:
(1) Price rise - from 600 HK (US 101?) per catty in March 1953 to HK$ 1.20
(US 200) in July 1953 -
(2) Tightening of rationing - one-half catty percouple each month
(3) Deterioration of quality - dark brown in color and offensive in taste
(4) Limited suppl9 - almost no Manchurian peanut oil in Canton in the last
two years (1952 and 1953).
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3. Alcohol, an item monopolized in its sale and distribution by government agencies
since January 1953 was unavailable in August 1953 to civilian hospitals, health
stations, drug stores, drug factories, and medical practioners. This shortage
has been felt especially in Canton.. Kongmoon, and Toishan. Many protests have
been received by the Provincial People's Government and an investigation has
been promised. No details are available yet.
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CLASSIFICATION CONFIDE
DISTRIBUTION
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Approved For Release 2004/03/11 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000300510006-5