The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1913-10-09
FOREIGN FRUIT CON-
SUMPTION INCREASES

Statisticians working under the d.
rection of o. p. Austin, chief of the
Division of Statistics of the United
States Bureau of Foreign and Domes-
tic Commerce, have just completed
tables which show that the countries
of Europe are drawing more heavily
each year on the orchards of the Unit
ed States for choice fruit, and that
during the fiscal year ending June 80
the value of fruit exports was more
than S36, 900, 600.
This is an increase in the export
fruit business of exactly 100 per cent
in ten years. The value of fruit sent
abroad in 1908 was approximately S18,-
600, 900. The increase in the quantity
of fruits sent abroad has not shown
such high percentage as the gain in
values. American fruit is being con-
stantly improved in quality and is COM
manding constantly increased prices
on foreign markets.
Green and ripe apples continue to be
the most popular American fruit. The
United Kingdom has used during the
year Just closed more than 800, 900
barrels, valued at more than $5, 600,
900; Germany nearly 300,0 600 barrels,
valued at 81, 900, 900 and other counties
Sc, 900 barrels, valued at 81, ,638, 0Oo.
Besides apples, oranges are the only
American fruit for which there is con-
siderable demand abroad. Canada uses
more than 1000, 900 boxes, valued at
nearly $3,000,000. The United King
dom uses approximately $1,000 boxes,
valued at $4,000, and other countries
call for more than 30, 900 boxes valued
at $88. 900.
Dried and canned American fruits
are popular in practically all parts of
the civilized world. Apples we're for
merly the most popular kind of dried
fruit which was exported from this
country, but they are falling behind at
the present time, and dried apricots
and prunes are taking their place.
Last year the value of dried apples 60
ing into foreign commerce was slightly
less than $4,000, 600, while apricots ex-
ceeded $3, 500.0 900, and prunes sold to
foreign counries were valued at
$egS50. 900.
Germany is the leading consumer of
American dried apples, having used
nearly $4,000, 900 pounds last year, val
ued at 81 ,207, 600. The United King
dom uses the most dried apricots. hav-
ing taken more than 13, 900, 900 pounds
last year, valued at nearly 81 $50, 90.
Germany uses about $500, 600 worth of
dried apricots. Germany is the leading
consumer of prunes. Its people used
more than 49, 900, 900 pounds last year,
valued a $2,ll0,000. France used
$500. 900 worth of prunes, and the
United Kingdom $3.50, 1000 worth, while
the other countries Of Europe combined
required more Gnaa $2,4l3,00 worth.
American raisins sold abroad we're val
ued at more than 81, 800, 900, and all
kinds of canned fruits sent to foreign
markets were valued at SIS, 900, 600.
Steadily increased demands for
American fruit are reported on practi-
cally every foreign market. This con-
dition is attributed to the improve
ments made in packing and in prepara-
tion of the products from the orchards
of the United States. The refrigerator
car service of the country is being rap
idly perfected, and fruits from the Pa
cific coast, which are carefully packed
and wrapped, can be sent all the way
across the continent, reshipped and
reach foreign markets in perfect con-
dition.