Mr. FROMER. The first of these graphs is entitled "Cheese Imports, Domestic Consumption, 1931-52." These graphs were originally prepared last summer, but have been brought down to date by adding the year 1952. The figures contained in the graphs were taken from statistics published by the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Commerce. The statistics are contained in the tables attached to my statement. (See p. 629.)

The graph indicates the increase of domestic cheese production from 492 million pounds in 1931 to 1,150 million pounds in 1951 and about 1,195 million pounds in 1952. You will also note from the chart that in the same period of time domestic cheese consumption has increased from 4.4 pounds per capita to an alltime high of 7.7 pounds per capita.

With regard to imports, the graph demonstrates the decline of cheese imports, for the second successive year, to 49 million pounds, and the fact that cheese imports have not reached the prewar level at any time since the war years.

The second chart, entitled "Ratio of Cheese Imports to Domestic Cheese Production, 1931-52," demonstrates that, whereas cheese imports amounted to 12.6 percent of domestic cheese production in 1931, it represented 4.5 percent in 1951 and 4.1 percent in 1952.

It will be noted from both charts that, although section 104 was presumably liberalized in July 1952, the volume of imports and the ratio of imports to domestic production continued its decline from the year 1950.

With regard to the price aspect of imported cheese, we have stated to you before, and we repeat, that the price of foreign types of imported cheese are higher than the price of the domestic cheese. I submit to you herewith quotations contained in the New York Journal of Commerce of yesterday, March 12, 1953, and draw to your attention the prices quoted for the foreign types of cheese. These are the prices of cheese at the wholesale level in the city of New York.

The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the material will be included in the record at this point.

(The material referred to is as follows:)

CHEESE

Receipts (March 10)-384,570 pounds. Fresh American cheese markets continue unchanged with a weak undertone and heavy selling of Cheddars to the Government at the support price.

Mr. FROMER. Domestic Romano cheese is quoted at 67 to 69 cents per pound; Italian Romano cheese is quoted at 85 to 90 cents per pound. I am informed that for various brands from Italy the price is even higher than this.

Domestic Provolone is quoted at 51 to 54 cents per pound; imported Provolone is quoted at 75 to 78 cents per pound.

Domestic Gorgonzola is quoted at 60 to 62 cents per pound, while imported Gorgonzola is quoted at 65 to 68 cents per pound.

Domestic blue cheese is quoted at 56 to 60 cents per pound, while imported blue cheese is quoted at 63 to 67 cents per pound.

Domestic Sardo cheese is quoted at 58 to 62 cents per pound, while Italian Sardo is quoted at 78 to 80 cents per pound.

Domestic Swiss cheese is quoted at 45 to 47 cents per pound, while Switzerland Swiss is quoted at 80 to 83 cents per pound.

These varieties comprise all of the foreign types listed in the Journal of Commerce quotations, and in each case, the price of the imported product is higher, and generally substantially so, than the domestic product. This difference in price becomes greater when the product reaches the consumer level. For example, a recent survey of prices for blue cheese indicates a difference of anywhere from 14 to 21 cents per pound more for imported blue cheese than for domestic blue cheese. In connection with this survey, various purchases were made at leading chain stores. I submit herewith for your consideration photographs of the cheese purchased at the time of the survey, which was during December 1952. Imported blue cheese, purchased at the A. & P. Stores, sold for 89 cents per pound, whereas the domestic blue cheese sold for 73 cents per pound. At the American Stores, the imported product was selling for 87 cents per pound while the domestic product was selling for only 68 cents per pound. At the Food Fair Stores, the imported product was selling for 89 cents per pound while the domestic product was selling for only 69 cents per pound.

The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the pictures will be included in the record at this point.

(The pictures referred to follow:)