462 Journal or the Department of Agriculture. — Nov., 1922. 



S.A. DRIED GRAPES FOR THE UNITED STATES. 



Organization of the Trade. 



Mr. Lamont, Principal of the Elseubuig- Scliool oi Agriniltuie, who 

 is at present touring tlie United States studying the various problems 

 of Agricultural Eoononiics, lias furnished a brief report on the possi- 

 bilities of that country as a market for our dried grai)es. He says 

 that our dried grapes are used very largely, if not almost entirely, 

 by Italians in NeAv York city and Chicago, and also in Pennsylvania, 

 for wine making. I'hese people will make wine from white grapes 

 only when there are no red grapes or raisins on the market, or if the 

 latter are sold at prohibitive prices. The white raisins, such as Steen, 

 are considered equal to the Turkish and Smyrna dried grapes and 

 such California raisins as are cheap enough. The Turkish article is 

 now (September) quoted in New York for forward delivery at 8 cents 

 per 1 lb. duty paid New Y'^ork, which means less than 4 cents per 1 lb. 

 at port of shipment, so the grower does not get very much after 

 deducting packing and handling costs. Our Hermitage raisin has 

 made a good name for itself, and is in keen demand. But there is no 

 use (at present at any rate), in shipping any white grape raisins. 

 Just recently a broker was ohered 7 cents per 1 lb. for a few thousand 

 boxes of Hanepoot raisins, which he refused. 



The trade here consists of (1) our grapes, (2) California fresh 

 grapes, beginning September and going on to November ; (3) Eastern 

 and some Spanish and Californian dried grapes which come in 

 between our season and the Californian. The summer months, July, 

 August, and September, are unfavourable for this commodity. To 

 get a good market our dried grapes must arrive during April, 

 May, and June, with July as the last month. This may alter later 

 on, but is the position at present. Our shipments undoubtedly 

 suffered this year by their late arrival, and some white dried grapes 

 will either have to be sacrificed or converted into wine or grape juice 

 in New York. 



Inquiries revealed the fact that 20(J,UU(> boxes of 25 lb. eiicli 

 (2500 tons) of the dried product covdd be absorbed. Although we are 

 not likely to have that quantity available, it shows that there is a 

 pretty good opening for as much Hermitage as we can ship from 

 South Africa. The trade is quite satisfied with the size of our pack 

 (25 lb. boxes) and the way in which the raisins are sent (two boxes 

 strapped togethei). There is, however, strong objection lo Steen grapes 

 being mixed with the Hermitage, and red grapes have been included 

 in some boxes marked " Hermitage," which depreciates values and 

 leads to dissatisfaction on the part of the buyers. Nothing but what 

 is called " Black Hermitage " is wanted. Boxes of Steen grapes were 

 actually marked " Hermitage," and there was no question that the 



