lo \ov., 1911-] Tlie Fruit Export Trade, Season igii. 749 



THE FRUIT EXPORT TRADE TO THE UiNlTED 

 KINGDOM AXD EUROPE. 



REVIEW OF SEASON 1911. 



Ernest Meeting, hispcctor under the Cornynerce Act. 



The outstanding features in this season's export have been as fol- 

 low : — 



1. The success which attended the Somerset shipment on a large scale cif 

 Williams' Bon Chretien and other pears. 



2. The varying success, if the consignment named is exce{)ted, which has at- 

 tended shi])ments of pears for the season generally. 



3. The probability of a profitable market for plums. 



4. The early period at which the season opened and its continii,ir.-;e far be- 

 yond the usual time. 



5. The large excess of total quantities exported over previous years. 



6. The continued expansion of the German market. 



7. The good prices realized on the German market. 



8. The large number of trial shipments to new ])orts. 



Pears. — The shipment by the Somerset constitutes an epoch in the over- 

 sea export of fresh fruit. Not only was the fruit landed in good con- 

 dition, but the prices realized yielded a handsome profit to the pioneers 

 who had the courage to embark in this venture. The success of this ship- 

 ment may, undoubtedly, be attributed to three causes, vis., (a) careful 

 picking, packing, and handling ; (b) the pre-cooling of the major portion 

 of the cargo prior to shipment ; (c) the maintenance of the shipment 

 during transit at a low, even and proper temperature. 



Careful attention to the above details is absolutely essential to insure 

 success in the transport of fruit over long distances ; and, although this 

 has been repeatedly mentioned in the Journal, the liberty is hereby taken 

 of restating this fact to exporters. Further, 't has been pointed out 

 time and again, and the statement is maintained, that fruits such as 

 grapes, peaches, pears, plums, oranges, and even apricots and tomatoes, 

 if carried under the conditions which were observed in connexion with the 

 Somerset shipment, could almost, without exception, \ye landed on the 

 ■oversea markets in good order. In fact, if proper up-to-date methods 

 were adopted in picking, handling and transporting, the export of fresh 

 fruits would continue practically throughout the year, instead of lasting, 

 as at present, onlv about three months. 



A glance at the appended list of prices obtained will show that the 

 shipment of pears, for the season generally, has not been attended with 

 any considerable success. In most instances, this may be attributed to 

 the neglect of carrying out the conditions which were observed with re- 

 gard to the Somerset .shipment. The contrast betw»-en the condition in 

 which the fruit comprising that shipment was landed, and the condition 

 and prices respecting the pe;irs shipped by other ves.sels. speaks for itself. 

 The result sIkjws that the small extra expenditure incurred in pre-cooling 

 fruit prior to shijiment and the carrying of fruit at jiroper t< nijHTatures, 

 is more than justified, as the loss on even a small percentage of each 

 consignment landed in bad condition amounts, in most instances, to more 

 than such expenditure, besides injuring the reputatimi of the exporters. 



Plums. — The price obtained for the small consignment of plums sent 

 by the Somerset would appe.ir to justifv the shipment of this fruit on a 



