The data relating to consumption of cocoa and chocolate in the United States are secured by taking the whole imports of these bodies and subtracting therefrom the exports. The difference will give the consumption and the amount remaining in stores. As this amount may be assumed to be practically constant from year to year, the difference may be regarded as measuring the consumption. For the two years, 1916 and 1917, the latter being the latest of the published data available, the total consumption of cocoa, including chocolate made therefrom, is given in the following table:

1 "Food and Flavor," by Henry T. Finck, page 577, The Century Company, New York.

Description

1916

Pounds

Values

Imports, crude.........................................................................

242,617,054

33,926,029

Imports, prepared...................................................................

2,293,733

670,439

Total Imported...................................

244,910,787

34,602,465

Exported................................................................................

10,295,040

1,773,554

Consumed......................................................................................................................

234,605,747

32,828,912

Description

1917

Pounds

Values

Imports, crude....................................

390,047,665

41,415,854

Imports, prepared...................................................................

790,650

258,849

Total imported...................................

390,838,315

41,674,203

Exported.................................................................................

12,873,082

1,729,354

Consumed........................................

377,965,233

39,944,849

The use of cocoa or cacao in this country approximates one-fourth that of coffee. Much of it is used in confections. The cost is approximately one-fourth that of the coffee used. There was a remarkable increase in the consumption of cocoa during 1917.