Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-11-02
CITRUS MARKET
HURT BY GREEN
fruit SHIPMENT
Early Marketing of Unripe
Fruit by Florida Growers
Has Seriously Affected
Opening Prices, Is Report


The citrus fruit market has beea
greatly demoralizcd by shipments ~
green fruit from Florida and 4 few
such shipments from the Valley. ac-
cording 10 John IL. Shary. Of Mission.
president Of the Texas Fruit Growers
Exchange. who returned recently from
a trip TO the markets in the central part
Of the state
Mr.. Shary stated that large ship
ments of green fruit had been received
~ dealers in 4 number OF central Texas
cities. most Of the shipments coming
from Florida. and the natural result
has been decrease in the demand and
q consequent decrease in prices. This
condition, however. IS probably tenn
porary, he explains. but n indicates how
seriously the market may be affected
by irresponsible shippers who place
green or inferior fruit on the market
Damage almost irreparabie can he
done the citrus industry in the Valley
by shipping fruit which is not in every
way up TO the Valley standard" Nh.
Shary stated. ~One or the principal OBJ
jects Of the Fruit Growers Exchange II
TO maintain that standard; 70 give the
sure an increase in the demand "a the
production increases, and the Valley
grower who permits any inferior fruit
10 leave the Valley il not only iniurinv
himself. but j. also injuring every grow
cr in the Valley. The standard Of the
Valley fruit mast be maintained. /: II
far bette Ito wait few weeks than to
place unripe or inferior fruit on the
market. and have the entire Valley sEf-
fer from the reaction
Excellent progress is being made in
organizing units of the Exchange
throughout the Valley. and II l. now ev-
ident that the majority of the growers
recognize il as marketing medium
which will assure q good price and 4
high standard for all Valley citrus pro
ducts. Units have been organized AZ
Mission. McAllen. Donna and Weslaco.
ad- additional units will be organized a.
Harl,. gen, Mercedes and probably
Drownsvs. and San Benito. The Hidaigo
county rroA. CT are confident that be-
fore the 1924 marketing season opens
practically every community IN the
Valley will have anti. and that al
least eight packing plants will be IN
operation.
The saving the growers Of the VALLEY
will affect through the marketing plan
has already been demonstrated. not only
through the opening Of new markets
but also in the purchase Of supplies. On
the items Of crates. wrappers and labels
n saving Of alm0s. 25 cents per crate has
been affected. the saving on these items
beirg almost as much as the selling
charge Of the exchange.
On his trip Mr.. Shary learned that the
demand for Valley fruit will be great
er than the supply. and practically aii
the fruit placed on the market by the
exchange will sell at premium over
the Florida fruit. Valley grape fruit j.
the big leader in the markets. the nor
thern dealers stating that their Gus
toners are almost unanimous in de-
manding the valley-grown fruit be-
cause OF its excellent flavor. Florida US
ually gets into the market two or three
weeks earlier than the Valley, but the
big shipments Of immature fruit from
that state this year. and which are now
seriously affecting the markets, are cx-
pected 70 result in a general curtailment
Of advance orders for the Florida fruit
next season.
How certain dealers IN 1cNif'u itN"'
markets are endeavofirg 10 work
cut-shroat~ system with growers who
sell independently was called ~ Mr.
Shary's attention last week. when an
Hidalgo county grower stated ne had te-
ceived telegram from dealer asklnH
for quotations on grape fruit. Inc
grower wired quotation on crate lots
and 4 few hours later received teie-
gram stating another Valley grower nag
quoted 25 cents per crate less. lie wlrcc
an acceptance Of the order At the latter
-Es;sTce. but within few hours received
wire stating the dealer had received
ouotation Of i cents less than the sec
ond price quoted. This offer was r.
fused BY the grower. and the dealer theh
tried 10 get the fruit ~ the price offer
"A in the second quotation. and when
This was refused, offered 70 buy ~ the
~owar-s oirinal uuotatiOn.