STANDARD AND CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE 

 Storage Holdings and Bi-Weekly Movement of Mcintosh Apples 



in Massachusetts 



The objective of growers is to sell all of their apples at the highest 

 possible net return. The lure of higher prices In spring markets is well re- 

 cognized and understandable. These higher prices do not occur, however, every 

 year, nor with any regularity. Also, it has been repeatedly demonstrated that 

 steadily rising prices are not realized when too many apples are held for the 

 spring market. 



How many is too many? How can the crop be sold to realize the greatest 

 return? 



These questions may be asked for the industry as a whole and they may be 

 asked by every individual seller. The industry figures are the total of indiv- 

 idual actions. Results for an individual seller are influenced, either up or 

 down, by how the industry as a whole sells the stored crop. 



A look at the record may help individual sellers to make decisions as to 

 how they would like to sell. Current information as to price and movement of the 

 state crop is essential for profitable current decisions by Individuals. Strate- 

 gic actions, by enough sellers, changes the situation for the industry as a whole. 

 Individuals may adopt a selling strategy to minimize the effects of a poor in- 

 dustry trend and to maximize their own returns. 



The fall price of apples seems to settle to a stable point about October 15th 

 of each year and is the result of an interplay of supply and demand, with the 

 level of expendable consumer income and the total apple supply as important fac- 

 tors. What happens to price from October 15th on, either up, level or down, is 

 largely dependent upon how (rate and time of selling) the crop is sold. 



The changes in price which occurred in the average of the years from 1924 

 to 1949 and the changes in price which occurred from 1949 to 1958 are indicated 

 in the following table. Firm Mcintosh U.S. Fancy 2V' up were used as a base pack. 



Price Changes October 15 to April 1st 



Mcintosh U.S. Fancy 2%" up, Massachusetts 



1924 - 1949 and 1949 - 1958 



Price: $2.46 2.72 2.72 2.63 2.54 2.50 2.53 2.54 2.67 2.74 2.73 2.78 



Gain over 



Oct. 15 - .26 .26 .17 .08 .04 .07 .09 .21 .28 .27 .32 



