TFS-158 



21 - 



JANUARY 1966 



Table 2. --Controlled atmosphere storage: Number and capacity 

 of plants with controlled atmosphere storage rooms, 

 United States, October 1, 1963 





Plants : 



Capacity : 



Capacity 

 per plant 



Region 



Quantity 



' Percentage \ 



Volume 



\ Percentage 





Number 



Percent 



1,000 

 Bushels 



Percent 



Bushels 



Eastern States 

 Central States 

 Western States 



159 

 57 

 k9 



60.0 

 21.5 

 I8.5 



5,376 

 1,9*6 

 3,803 



U8.3 

 17.5 

 3^.2 



33,811 



3^,1 to 

 77,612 



United States 



265 



100.0 



11,125 



100.0 



l»l,98l 



Data derived from "Capacity of Refrigerated Warehouses in the United States, 

 October 1, 1963 '. SRS, USDA, August 196k. 



on all CA apple containers. In addition, some States specify inspection to 

 assure that U. S. condition standards and other requirements are met. 



Economic Importance qZ 

 CA Apple Storage 



Apples properly stored in CA rooms hold their condition well from fall 

 until the following summer. This allows growers and others engaged in storing 

 and selling the apples an extended period for marketing their fruit. Moreover, 

 it permits more orderly marketing, especially at harvest time. Flexibility in 

 choice of time to market is perhaps the greatest after January 1. During late 

 winter and spring, when stocks of both types of apples are about equal, both 

 types are highly competitive for the buyers' dollar. In the past, CA apples, 

 especially the Mcintosh, have usually brought premimum prices. The CA method 

 of storing permits increased opportunities for apple marketers to maximize their 

 returns from the fruit. 



Consumers also benefit from CA apple storage. It provides them with 

 increased quantities of firm, crisp, juicy apples late in the season. They 

 have shown their preference for such apples by paying top or premimum prices. 



Selected References on Controlled Atmosphere Storage 



1. Hardenburg, R. E. 196k. Developments on Postharvest Use of Controlled 

 or Modified Atmosphere for Quality Retention of Horticultural Crops. 

 (Speech) ARS, U. S. Dept. Agr., Beltsville, Md. 



2. Olsen, Kenneth L., and Schomer, Harold A. 196k. Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide 

 Levels for Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Starking and Golden Delicious 

 Apples. Mktg. Res. Rpt. No. 653. U. S. Dept. of Agr., Washington, D. C. 



3. Agricultural Research Service. 1965* A Review of Literature on Harvesting, 

 Handling, Storage, and Transportation of Apples. ARS 51"^' U. S. Dept. 

 of Agr., Washington, D. C. 



