— 1 "* — 
Exports of fresh prunes 
■* 3 1 h improvements in rail transportation the export of fresh 
prunes from Yugoslavia is assuming increasing importance. Exports 
of fresh prunes have increased from an average of only 7,429,000 
pounds annually during the five years 1920-1924 to 51,639,000 pounds 
in 1928. In point of time they reach the consuming markets somewhat 
ahead of the Bohemian crop, the first carloads moving out about the 
middle of August, "^rcko in Bosnia is an important center for this 
trade. During the shipping season special cars are attached to the 
faster trains reaching the more important markets in from two to four 
days. Formerly these prunes were packed in baskets but in 1928 crates 
were used extensively for the first time. These crates are made of 
slats, placed about 2 centimeters apart Allowing for ventilation. The 
capacity of these crates is from 44 to 06 pounds net. The table on 
page 34 gives the exports of fresh prunes from Yugoslavia by countries 
of destination over a period of years. 
The short crop of fruit in central Europe during 1928 was a 
material factor in the large exports of fresh prunes from Yugoslavia 
that year but since shipments had been increasing steadily during the 
preceding four or five years it may- be concluded that a permanent out- 
let has been developed for Yugoslav fresh prunes. Austria is by far 
largest market for these fresh prunes. Italy, Czechoslovakia and 
any have become important only in the last three years- Prices on 
fresh prunes in European, markets advanced sharply during the 1928 season, 
ers in Yugoslavia receiving from 2 to 2.5 cents per pound. This is 
eouivalent to 7 cents to 8 cents on a dried basis, without the cost of 
drying, using the equivalent of 3.5 pounds of fresh for 1 pound of 
dried prunes. It is not believed that these prices will prevail under 
normal crop conditions but with quality satisfactory upon arrival and 
with the fruit arriving in advance of the big Bohemian crop there is 
a possibility of gre a t-ly extendin fc this outlet. 
M e qufac ture_ an d expor t of prune jam 
The manufacture of "r-ezmez 11 or prune jam is said to have had 
its beginning in 3osnia about 1890. It was later taken up by Serbia. 
Exports since the war have shown a downward tendency due to the import 
taxes that have been levied in some of the important foreign maricets 
for the protection of their own marmalade and preserve factories. No 
extensive manufacturing plants are necessary for making plum jam, the 
cooking taking place in copper kettles often in the open. It takes 
about 350 pounds of fresh prunes to make 100 pounds of jam or " leouar" . 
It is exported in medium barrels of 110 to 220 pounds or in large 
barrels of 352 to 440 N pounds, b ross weight. Prices are based on 100 
Kilograms (220 pounds) net weight, Austria i 3 the largest factor in 
the importation of Yugoslav prune jam but both Germany and Czechoslov.- - 
are taking increasing quantities. The only other important markets are 
/. Italy and France. This prune jam is often nought for the pur- 
pose i reworking into various marmalade, jam or preserve products. 
Statistics on exports are given in the table on page 34. 
