- 27 - 
The Yugoslav prune box is longer and narrower than the standard box 
used in America. The most commonly used boxes are the 12^ kilo (27.5 pounds) 
and the 25 kilo (55 pounda) siscs. The box used 1'or exportation to Czecho- 
slovakia, however, holds 55 kilos (72.6 pounds) as that country has a higher 
art duty on packages holding less than 50 kilo3 (66 pounds). The length 
of the boxes, inside measurement , is 55 centimeters (21.6 inches) and the 
width 21 centimeters (8.V inches). The depth varies with different weights. 
The smaller 5 or 10 kilo (11 or 22 pound) boxes are packed in considerable 
quantities for the Christmas trade. Cartons are practically unknown al- 
though small lots go out in paper bags, holding 2 kilos (4.4 pounds) and 
packed 24 to the case. The paper bag is made of a heavy grade paper and 
is closed by folding twice and the ends turned over. 
An outstanding characteristic of packing prunes in Yugoslavia is 
the lack of machinery and the universal use of man power. Packing is done 
almost entirely on a piece-work basis. A charge of 6,000 dinars per car- 
load of 10,000 kilograms (22,046 pounds) "packed in 12^- kilo (27.5 pounds) 
boxes appears to be customary. This is at the rate of slightly over a half 
a cent per pound. This does not include receiving and grading costs, which 
as pointed out, is done elsewhere. There is no packing or processing gain. 
On the contrary there is a possibility of a slight shrinkage. 
Grading establishments and packing plants also ^ome under the super- 
vision cf the Market Commissions. Every packing plant has a .ark which 
must be registered with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Packing 
plants must exercise cleanliness and ^are in packing. Old and new prunes 
must be kept separate and it is forbidden to mix old and new crops in 
packing. Fines are levied in case of violations of these rules. Any prune 
■chant who adds water to the fruit, mixes old with new, adds something to 
the prunes, buys slack dried, unripe, burned, smoky, sour, rotten fruit or 
prunes without brilliancy is punished by a fine, 
Sel_ling_ p rug os for export 
Export Pjppc^sdure_ in marketing Yugoslav prunes 
Belgrade is by far the outstanding center for the marketing of Yugo- 
slav prunes. Until recently it was also a packing center but it was found 
more economical to pack ir. the producing areas. The financial institutions 
and exporters responsible for the sale of a large percentage of the crop are 
located in Belgrade. Valjevo is the center for packing in Serbia and for 
some direct selling for export. Brcko and Tuzla in Bosnia are important 
-^rs for direct selling. Brcko is located on the northern boundary of 
Bosnia on the Save river and has rail connections to every part of Europe. 
A few largo operators in Vienna and 3st have packing plants in Yugo- 
ia. cr are closely allied with local packing concerns. Sales are made by 
j exporters to brokers located in the importing markets. Commissions on 
sales are ally tT7o per cent. Sales to Vienna and Budapest are made 
direct to the importers. 
