26 



MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 231 



Table 17. — Typical Export Charges, New York to Liverpool 



a. Insurance and commission based on assumed valuation of ^5.00 per barrel and $2.00 

 per box. 



These charges are deducted from the price received and the balance remit- 

 ted to the American shipper. L'^nder ordinary conditions the shipper may 

 expect returns in about two weeks. Some firms report within a few days 

 the price at which apples have been sold. 



Charges on apples exported to Germany are stated as follows in a 

 report from a Federal agent stationed in that country: Broker's charge 

 6 per cent which includes commission, discounts to buyers, credit risks and 

 •cataloguing for the auction markets. There are additional charges which 

 include inspection fees, pier expenses and four weeks of free storage to 

 "buyers. Shippers from New York must calculate for all commissions and 

 costs, including ocean freight, about 85 cents a box and $2.06 per barrel for 

 common stowage, and about $1.05 a box and $2.43 a barrel, if refrigerated 

 ■space is required. Total expenses on shipments from the West are about 

 ■$1.38 a box, shipped in cold storage. Insurance amounts to about 4 cents 

 additional. Obviously, costs of exporting to Germany are considerably 

 liiglier than on shipments to the markets of the United Kingdom. 



Packing for Export 



The problem of packing apples for export differs from packing for 

 domestic markets. Owing to the long ocean haul which tends to cause 

 shifting of the fruit within the container, the apples should be packed very 

 tightly or the package reaches the other side in what is known as a "slack" 

 condition. This is more corpmon with barreled than with boxed apples. 

 The apples in a "slack barrel" have settled so that they do not come in 

 contact with the head of the barrel and have received more or less injury 

 from shifting. 



Barrels are tested for slackness and are classified in some markets on 

 this basis, when offered at auction. The Liverpool auction classifies 

 barreled apples as "tight," "slack," "slightly wet," and "wet." Other 

 markets require buyers to judge for themselves as to the condition of the 

 fruit. Naturally, slack barrels bring lower prices than fruit that is 

 properly packed. The common discount on slack barrels is from one to 

 two shillings, although it sometimes amounts to three or even five shillings. 



Buyers naturally hesitate to ship slack barrels long distances, and these 

 apples must therefore be marketed near the port. This restricts distribu- 

 tion and tends to keep prices down in the large receiving markets. It is, 

 therefore, greatly to the advantage of the grower who wishes to export 

 liis apples to pack them securely and, avoid slack packages. 



