The total output of our Swedish industries (mining not included) in 1912 was appraised at a net (manufacturing) value of 1,778,000,000 kroner, (about $481,600,000.) Of this total, 476,000,000 kroner (about $128,600,000) represents foodstuffs and luxuries, 353,000,000 kroner (about $95,400,000) wood products, &c.; 222,000,000 kroner ($60,000,000) textile products, and so on.

A few figures will illustrate Sweden’s exchange of products with foreign countries.  In 1912 the foreign trade of Sweden reached a total of 1,554,000,000 kroner, (about $420,000,000.) The imports aggregated 794,000,000 kroner (about $214,600,000) and the exports 760,000,000 kroner, (about $205,400,000,) thus showing a relatively advantageous trade balance.  Of the imported values, 28 per cent. was foodstuffs and luxuries, 45 per cent. raw materials, and 26 per cent. articles manufactured either wholly or in part.  Of the exports, 14 per cent. was foodstuffs and luxuries, 23 per cent. raw materials, and not less than 63 per cent. articles of manufacture, finished completely or in part.

The principal industrial products represented among these exports are enumerated here: 

Kroner
Wood products   1,912,000,000  $516,700,000[1]
Pulp and paper    134,000,000    36,000,000
Metal products    105,000,000    28,400,000
Machinery          56,000,000    15,400,000
Matches            16,000,000     4,300,000
Pottery products   15,000,000     4,000,000

[Footnote 1:  The amounts in this column are close approximates.]

With regard to our exports, there have been especially large increases in those of pulp and machinery.  The principal types of machinery which figure among the exports of Sweden are milk separators, oil motors, telephone apparatus, electric engines, and ball bearings.  In these exports are plainly indicated the inventive genius of the Swedes and their aptitude for technical and industrial pursuits.

With reference to the Swedish railroads, this fact is deserving of mention:  Sweden leads all Europe with 2.5 kilometers to each 1,000 inhabitants, (United States has 4.14 kilometers.) The mercantile marine of Sweden has experienced powerful growth in recent years.  In 1912, with a net tonnage of 805,000, it held the sixth place among the merchant fleets of Europe, being ahead of, among other countries, Spain, Russia, and the Netherlands.  Especially has the growth in Sweden’s merchant marine been pronounced since 1904, when the first regular ocean lines with Swedish vessels were established.  Today Swedish steamship lines are maintaining regular traffic with all parts of the world.  Thus, among other things, Sweden has established freight lines, with steamers plying to both the east and west coasts of North America.  Quite recently, despite the financial crisis brought on by the war, a company has been formed with the object of establishing passenger traffic with Swedish steamships of high speed between Gothenburg and either New York or Boston.