Importance and History of the Apple Industry 11 



most favorable of all factors in the outlook of the apple 

 industry and a potent influence against over-production. 



3. Development of foreign market. 



In past years varying quantities, seldom exceeding two 

 million barrels of the best apples, were exported annually. 

 There are great possibilities in the export trade, not only 

 in those countries which at the present time consume large 

 quantities of American apples, but also in undeveloped 

 foreign markets. South America is as yet a market 

 largely undeveloped. 



At present, the United States produces the larger part 

 of the world's commercial apple crop. Most of this is 

 consumed at home. In addition, foreign fruit is im- 

 ported to the value of hundreds of millions of dollars 

 from countries which do not consume apples except in a 

 very limited quantity. The apple is one of the least 

 perishable and at the same time one of the most popular 

 fruits, once a demand is stimulated. At present Eng- 

 land is the leading export market. Other north European 

 countries consume American apples in lesser quantities. 

 When it is considered that in the face of an abundance of 

 other fresh fruits and food stuffs the people of the United 

 States consume over 20,000,000 barrels of commercial 

 apples and export only about 2,000,000 barrels annually, 

 the possibilities of export can be more fully appreciated, 

 particularly as the European countries with their millions 

 of population produce commercial apples only in limited 

 quantities. It must be remembered, however, that by the 

 time a package of high-grade apples reaches the European 

 market, the price is out of the reach of such classes as in 

 this country consume much of our own commercial crop. 



