APPLE MARKET INVESTIGATIONS, 1914-15. 19 



until the fall of 1913, when an exporter shipped 13,000 boxes to 

 Buenos Aires via New York and, a little later, 9,000 boxes via the 

 Straits of Magellan. 



An early opportunity was secured to dispose of the 22,000 boxes 

 at a profit of about 40 cents a box, but a large proportion of the con- 

 signment was held too long, resulting in a loss to the shipper on the 

 transaction as a whole. The same shipper, however, is now pre- 

 paring for further shipments to South America early in the coming 

 season, for the handling of which arrangements have already been 

 made. 



During the past year a New York firm of distributors sent a repre- 

 sentative to study the South American markets and make trade 

 connections for direct handling. This firm formerly had sold apples 

 and other products to New York exporters. 



The representative spent two months in South America, but met 

 with considerable difficulty in interesting the importers, who, it 

 appeared, were very well pleased with their trade connections in 

 the United States. Contracts for the sale of approximately 9,000 

 boxes for fall delivery were secured eventually, and agents appointed 

 in Buenos Aires. Sales were arranged upon easy terms, but when 

 deliveries were made only 1,600 boxes were accepted, the balance of 

 the shipment being sold by the commission agent. Thereafter regular 

 consignments to this market were made for the purpose of supplying 

 the demand independently of the importers who formerly had con- 

 trolled the handling of this commodity. Much of the fruit has been 

 sold at auction, circulars being previously distributed among small 

 dealers, hotels, restaurants, etc. On March 3, 1915, 5,000 boxes of 

 apples were sold in this manner. 



It is not known just what the future results of these experiments 

 may be. It is thought by those who have had the longest experience 

 with South American importers that these markets can be developed 

 best by handling the business in a manner most acceptable to the 

 dealers. Attention is called to the fact that the importers have been 

 accustomed to supply their markets by placing orders judiciously 

 and receiving only such stock as has been bought previously. The 

 consignment of apples, therefore, is severely discouraged by them, 

 and it would appear from the experience of the past two years that 

 those shippers who have endeavored to secure this trade by over- 

 stepping Latin customs have not been entirely successful in their 

 venture-. 



It is understood that formerly the margins of gross profits have 

 been very large. Owing to the risks involved, it is only to bo expected 

 that this business could not be handled upon margins that might 

 prevail in the United States or between the United States and 



