I J Oct., 1909.] T]ie Fruit Export Trade, Season I gog. 615 



THE FRUIT EXPORT TRADE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM 



AND EUROPE. 



Review of Season, 1909. 



Ernest Mcckiug, Inspector under the Commerce Act. 



The average result of last season's export of fresh fruit, like that of 

 the preceding year, is unfortunately one in which realization has fallen 

 considerably below anticipation. Prior to the commencement of the season, 

 everything seemed to justify the telief that a larger quantity of fruit 

 would be exported than had' been shipped during any previous year, and 

 that prices would probably equal those obtained in 1907. The former 

 expectation wa.s fully realized, as the quantity shipped was far in excess 

 of that ever l^efore sent forward, and exceeded last year's exports by no 

 less than 98,340 cases. The figures for the two years are as follows : — ■ 

 1908 ... 8^,856 cases. I 1909 ... 181,196 cases. 



The belief that high prices would be obtauied was unfortunately not 

 borne out by results, as these were far from satisfactory. 



The figures quoted above speak in more eloquent terms than any which 

 it is possible to convey to paper, of the pluck and determination of our 

 exporters who stuck to the business despite their experiences of the pre- 

 vious year. Even the hardiest, however, must perforce quit the business 

 unless the odds against them are much shortened. Many growers, traders 

 and others who came into the trade with the intention of staying, and who 

 risked capital, labour and time in the enterprise, make no secret of the 

 fact that they are thoroughly disheartened, and openly state their intention 

 of discontinuing unless some of the disabilities under which the trade at 

 present labours are removed. The pity of it all is that the chief sufferers 

 are those men who, by the hard work, in season and out, incidental to the 

 occupation of fruit raising, make the export of fruit possible. However 

 unsatisfactory the condition in which the growers' products arrive on the 

 market, and however low the prices they receive, the charges on those 

 products (freight, commission, &c,), like the laws of the Medes and the 

 Persians, are unalterable. Above all, these are always exacted even if 

 tho.se who collect them are largelv responsible for the unsatisfactorv 

 results. 



It is not overstating the case to say that the fate of this trade, which 

 within the past nine years has increased over 1,500 per cent., is now 

 trembling in the balance. Another knock similar to those it has received 

 during the past two years would in all probabilitv give it its quietus. 

 Even without such a contingency the checks already received will, perhaps, 

 give it a serious set back. It is much to be feared, however, that future 

 seasons nill witness a repetition of the disasters which have occurred, unless 

 attempts are made to abolish many of the causes which render the export 

 of fruit an unprofitable business. This article will attempt to show that 

 some of these causes at least are preventable, and will endeavour to [Xjint 

 out the methods by which such prevention may be effected. 



The chief objects at which the fruit exporter should aim in order to 

 make his business successful are to place his fruits on the market at the 

 lowest practicable cost, and to obtain the highest possible prices. The 

 principal items which make up the total cost in fruit exporting are, 

 materials (cases, wrappers, &c.), labour, rail and boat freights, wharfage, 

 commission, &c. These charges, in conjunction with deterioration of fruit 



