EAST GERMAN SUPPLY SITUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A008200670002-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 27, 2008
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: October 28, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/10/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA008200670002-9
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PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO
THIS DOrIINQNY CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFTCTIIS TUB NATIONAL D!FEIISE
OP THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN THE MEAMI140 OF TITLE 18 SECTIOOS 79$
AND 194. OF IMP N S" CODE. AS AMENDED ITS TRANSUIISIOR OR REVEL
DATE DISTR 23 C , (,u-
#10. or !IM 3
NO. OF ENCL.
(LISTED BELOW)
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
1, In the Halle areas there was a critical shortage of fats., reat and sugar
products in June 1955,, Jie.tion coupons were generally honoredv but only 60%
of hiph.quality meat products, such as bacon, pcrk,and special sausage
(salarre) due on ration cards were issued. Flour, coffee1and liquor continued
to be bottlenecks. Supplies of these coasrcldities were not available in
state-owned shops It was not expected that the situation would improve in
this field,
2,, The reactions of the East Germans to the .)resent supply di ffti.culties ray b:
corpared to the situation existing prior to 17 June 1953. The food Issued on
ration crurons per r:onth is adequate only for two to three weeks, Because
of the inadegnate 3Lpplies available in state--owned shops,; East Germans are
fcrced to rake illegal purchases in the country. This situation partly
explains the hir.h percentage sick workers in ti-e individual factories
In an industrial plant which erploys about 800 persons? approxirr.ately 10%
of the l:ibor force is sick at any given ti_mec.
3,. In June 1955, it was learned in a central government agency in test Berlin
that butter wa.s henceforth to contain 25% water instead of the 20%c prescribed,,
4,, In the second half of June 1955, the food situation in W'eirar was rather
critical? Vegetables and fruit were not obtainable and the bread
was of very poor quality,
5,, prior to early July? it was learned in Gotha that the basic and sup,-lEmentary
food re.tion cards were fully honored. A total of 1,350 grams of heats 1,6CC grams
of su?r.r 900 gr-ems of fat were issued against coupons of the basic fcod ration
carO-, A total of 1,950 grams of neat? 1,800 gr~:.rrs of sugar, 1,450 gran. s of
fat were delivered against coupons of the basic and supplementary fcoc re.tion
card ii, A total of 1,95C grams of neat? 1 8CC grams of sugar~.and 1.,450 grans
of fat were issued against coupons of the basic and supplementary focc ration
card k^,., Children up to five years old were issued 1,6CC .rams of sugai, 9C0
,)rams of r eat,and 9(,C grams of butter; while children from 9 to 15 yex rs old
were issued 1,600 mans sugar. 1,C5C grams of i eatrand 1,C50 .rams of fat.
CLASSIFICATION
STATE r:a:Iv NSR3 DISTRIBUTION
t RMY ~ :~ FBI 77
SUPPLEMENT TO 25X1
REPORT NO
Approved For Release 2008/10/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA008200670002-9
 Approved For Release 2008/10/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA008200670002-9
10
Only pork is usually obtainable on the free rarketa Beef is very scarce
and mutton almost never obtainable. Butter is occasionally obtainable at
state-owned shops at a price of 5 DME for 25C grams.; Since recently an
inferior type of butter called "mixed butter" has been offered at the
price of 4n4 DI-M for 250 grams. This type of butter is disliked by the
population because it is believed that hard coal derivatives are mixed
with it. Three different types of margarine are offered at different
prices, but this targarine cannot be spread on bread? The sale of sugar
.7'.-continued in mid ray0 Bee-honey and synthetic honey are not obtainble,
'.mile lam is available in adaquate quantities. 100 grams of chocol,te
are sold at a price of 6 DME.
7., Since April 1955, almost only black rye bread, which is mostly moist, has
been offered for sale. 'White bread and rolls are hardly obtainabe and
potatoes are in short supply. Yilk is generally issued only to small
children for ration cards; if it is sold on the free market, a price of
1?12 D?E is charged per liter, No condensed rilk is obtainable. Cheese is
in very sh^rt supply andsif obtainable at allsof poor quality. Ilost of the
so-called Schmelzkaese , which is seldom offerediwas iriported, Eggs are
offered occasionally at a price of C.4C to C