Production, Distribution and Marketing 



vital Factors Affecting the Future of The Peach Industry 



It has been said that no business can escape change and probably the fruit industry has shown 

 more drastic change during the past two decades than any other like period in the industry. 



Not so many years ago California and Georgia were the two great peach centres of the nation and 

 produced more than 60% of all peaches grown. In recent years peach production spread out and there is 

 no less than 17 states which can be classified as major production areas. Peach growing is today 

 FOURTH IN FRUIT PRODUCTION in the nation and not withstanding the heavy competition from 

 other fruits, berries and vegetables, peaches continues to make money for the grower. However, to do 

 so, the peach grower must be a man of vision and wide experience able to recognize the vital factors so 

 necessary for success. 



Production problems lie closer to the daily activities of the fruit grower than any other phase of 

 operation and they are never all solved. They include choice of varieties, soil adaptations and manage- 

 ment, climatic effects, both favorable and unfavorable, insect pests and diseases, plus harvesting prob- 

 lems. Control of production is of great moment to the succes of fruit growing, especially in orchard fru 

 its. Neglect of an orchard for even one year brings serious consequences and while it is said that peach 

 growing is quickly entered from a production stand-point, yet the venture is expensive at all times. 



The peach grower must turn production over speedily to keep ahead of investment charges, due to 

 the very short production life of the tree. Orchard planting should be setup on a definite schedule of 

 planting to keep production at a constant figure unless there be periods of large crops which the mark- 

 ets cannot consume, thereby creating a loss for the grower. It will be well therefore for every planter 

 to study every phase of production in order that he may continue to make a living regardless of 

 market conditions and low prices. 



DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING 



Distribution plays an ever important role in the success for all peach growers and must be con- 

 sidered well because such factors as. Meeting competition with other food products, competition with 

 nearby or distant sections growing peaches, quantity and quality, grading and packaging to suit mark- 

 et conditions, merchandising in all of its phases of sales promotion, transportation and handling costs. 



These factors of distribution must be met and solved if profits are to be made, because no matter 

 how well you may grow the peach, it must be sold at prices which allow a profit ( if the grower intends 

 to remain in the business of peach growing. 



THE GREATEST FACTOR IN MARKETING IS COMPETITION 



Possibly no fresh fruit in our markets today has as many competitors for the consumer dollar as 

 the fresh peach. In most sections it ripens at such time as may be found a long list of fresh vegetables, 

 berries, melons and other small fruits. Not alone is it confronted with all these, but at the same time 

 it must compete against carryover from other peach crops in the form of canned, frozen and dried fruits. 

 Thus we see that the introduction of fresh peaches into the markets must be attended by all possible pu 

 blicity to overcome the competition found in the other items. 



THE FACTOR OF CONSUMER DEMAND 



With the ever rising production figures in tonnage it becomes more necessary for methods to be 

 found to divert a greater amount of fruit into other outlets. 



It is pleasing to note that science and research are fast developing methods whereby surplus may be 

 taken care of thru the medium of jams, jellies, juices, canned and frozen fruit and many other dietary 

 items. As science progresses, it is entirely possible in the near future ways will be developed to con- 

 sume costly surpluses which in the past have been a total loss. 



WHAT ABOUT FUTURE PLANTINGS 



Without quoting Government Statistics, it would seem that as long as our normal production is held 

 at about the same figure we are producing today that there is not much danger of a saturation point. 

 However the peach grower should heed the caution signal by watching market trends, production reports 

 from competitive areas and note carefully his nearby markets. For future production to meet market 

 demands the grower should give more thought to variety selection on the basis of bud hardiness, season 

 of ripening, appearance and quality of fruit, resistance to diseases and ability to carry well to distant 

 markets. Prepare to cash in on the great undeveloped markets of our highways and small comnuniities. 

 Give due thought to canning and by-product factories as an outlet for all or part of production and 

 develop them cooperatively, if necessary. Give due attention to picking and packing methods, study the 

 package from the consumer standpoint, sell the consum.er only what you would be willing to eat your- 

 self. 



Growing peaches today, however large or small, is a business and must be run on a business basis, 

 if it is to be successful. If all the factors concerned are worked out to the satisfaction of grower, 

 marketer and consumer, there is every reason to be sure that the peach industry has a future and will 

 continue to be recognized as one of the substantial branches of Agriculture. 



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