Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-27
FRESH VEGETABLE
/ SHIPMENTS GROW
Producers Sure Winner in
Fight of Canning and Re-
frieerator interests.
BY. !. c. ROYLE.
SPECIAL Dispatch In The star.

SPECIAL Dispatch In The star.
NEW YORK. January 27.--Thc strug-
gil between tbs can opener ana the re-
frigerator for the affections Of the
American housewife is in full swing,
Gamers today are dclving deep into
problems OF strategy and tactics to keep
pace with the Improvement in transpor-
tatipn and distribution of fresh fruits
and vegetables and either food products.
The increased use of fresh fruits and
vegetables on an all-the-year round
basis has provided the Gamers with new
ryoblems. and this is freely admitted
by leaders of the industry now con-
ierring in Chicago.
These problems involve labelling. grad
ing and distribution. as we'll as prices.
Five billion cans OF food products are
consumed by the American people each
year. and in 1928 IL is confidently en-
pected the value Of the products so used
will exceed $500 200 600.
Volume of demand FOR canned goods
undoubtedly is growing. but so Is the
call for fresh fruits and vegetables pro-
ducers OF which also have improved
grading. production and marketing
methods 10 such an extent that carload
shipments of fresh products are going
into every center in the country every
week Of the year. Carload shipments OF
such products will exceed 100000 cars
in the current year.
Growers Returns Increase.
Returns are becoming more adequate
for the grower. owing 10 the comoinco
demand for fresh and canned fruits ano
vegetables and in some sections THESE
crops have made all the difference be-
tween prosperity and disaster TO the
farmer
The canning industry in general has
had much 10 contend with during the
last year. There was a heavy carry
over from the 1926 pack. Now. how
ever, these surplus stocks have been alb
Sorbed 10 a large extent. Production at
present is in close step with consump-
tion and Gamers are determined to
keep 1t SO. Prices are lowest and margins
ing steps TO improve production meth
o6s and cut overhead expense.
The cutting down of production tS
fit consurnptive needs Is illustrated by
the pack of corn. In 1927 1t was TO-.
346. 600 cases. as compared with 1909
600 the previous year and 24.320 600 In
1925. There were I2936.0o0 cases OF
peas canned in 1927. as compared with
l77oe,c0o in 1925 and l7.8lS.000 In
1925.
The producers say the situation ir
canned tomatoes hes improved with tht
last so days owing TO the elimination
of stocks Of packers who had beer
dumping their supplies on the market
The influx Of fresh tomatoes has hac
a marked effect on this market. Fresh
tomatoes are coming into the United
States from the west coast OF Mexico
from Havana. TIE Bahamas and other
countries with mild climates. IN add
ton to those produced in the Southern
States.
Imports Are Heavy.
The imports alone. II is estimated
would amount il canned TO 10000 ,00C
cases. or what is approximately q
normal supply Of the canned fruit. The
imports from Mexico along are expected
70 reach $500 cars this year.
Consumption Of canned fruit mas
been large for two years. although some
losses were experienced in the enort TO
expand this trade There was tre-
rnendous pack in California IN 1925
but the 1927 pack. according 10 pre-
Iin1insry figures. VIII not exceed ~
600 600 cases. which are moving INTO
consumption rapidly.
The Gamers are planning more m
tefligent advertising campaigns, ano
greater cooperation between the as
trib,,,or and retailer and the Gamer tc
stress quality.