Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
Big GAIN IN
DEMAND FOR
GRAPEFRUIT
Consumption in Some
States Increased Ov-
er 100 Per Cent In
Year, Records Show


Consumption OF grapefruit in tire
four principal consuming states
New York, Pennsylvania. Ohio and
Illinois-increased over 10O per cent
last season. according to the govern
ment records OF Florida fruit ship
ments which show that the four
states during the l928-29 season re-
ceived 1859 Ears Of grapefruit as
compared with 42O6 cars the previ-
Dus season.
These four states form the prin-
cipal markets for Florida citrus
fruits, receiving last eason 26, 75S
cars Of the total Of SO. 9 cars ship
ped from the Florida packing
plants. The previous year the four
states had received a total of l6,548
cars from Florida, these figures re-
vealing that the increase in grape
fruit consumption is greatly in ex-
cess Of the increase in consumption
Of other citrus varieties.
Government reports show similar
increases in foreign markes. from
which the demand for American
grown grapefruit is each year De-
coming more pronounced, and
which, with the Inauguration of
water transport direct from the
producing centers. Is proving highly
profitable markets for large ship
ments.
An analysis Of the Florida ship
Ding records reveals that grapefruit
consumption increased in every
state in the union with two excep-
fons-Delaware and North Dakota
the former receiving only S cars
Of the fruit as compared with 6 the
previous year. and the latter receiv-
ing 10 a both years. The increase
was most pronounced in the New
England, Atlantic, central and mid
west states. many states doubling
their consumption. New York, with
an increase Of $50 per cent. holds
premier position among the grape
fruit consumers. and dealers in that
state are confident the coming sea-
son will show a further increase in
the demand for the fruit.
The Canadian demand for grape
frui has increased in approximately
the same ratio as in the United
States. The 1928 movement OF
fruit from Florida to Canadian
markets totaled 2l0 cars which was
increased to 412 cars the past sea-
son. The Lower Rio Grande VAL
ley also shipped a number Of cars
TO the Canadian markets, and it is
apparent that Canadian consump-
ton was considerably in excess Of
100 per cent Of that Of the previous
season.
ADVERTISING Aus GrOWerS
The tremendous increase in the
citrus fruit movement into the four
major consuming states is attrib-
uted by Florida growers and ship
pers to he intensive advertising
campaign inaugurated by the Flor
ida Citrus Fruit Clearing House
association, which is preparing to
launch q broader campaign this
year. Last season the association
expended approximately $500. 900 for
advertising and publicity. its efforts
being confined principally to the
four major consuming states. The
results Of that campaign were phe-
nomenal. and it is very evident that
had Florida neglected to supply
funds for such purpose 1t would
have been virtually impossible to
have secured markets for he abb
normally large fruit crop.
Publicity efforts were centered in
New York. Pennsylvania. Illinois
and Ohio, the four states which
consumed over so per cen Of the
entire crop. Sales in New York
state the past season totalled 1910
csrs as compared with 62I7 the pre-
vious season. The same ratio OF
gain was shown in PENNSYLVANIA
which consumed 1892 cars of Flori-
da fruit the past season as COM
pared with 3504 the previous season
In Illinois the sales were increased
from 1850 cars in 1927-I92S O 1886
the past season, and Ohio consumes
3149 cars, against 2267 in l927-132S.
In all these states the increase in
consumption may be attributed To
the advertising campaign waged tc
snScpularize citrus fruits.
- Increase Is General
In the state Of New York the
increase In grapefruit consumption
was more marked than in any other
section Of the United States. That
state the past season consumed A.
S73 cars Of Floriday grapefruit az
compared with 1880 cars in 1927
1928. Pennsylvania increased grape
fruit consumption from $40 cars IN
1927-1B28 to 1886 cars last season.
Illinois consumption was l445 cars
as compared win 1856, and Ohio.
which consumed 800 cars in 1927
1928. shipped In 1lS6 the past sea-
son.
A tabulation Of the Florida ship
ping records for the past two years
the following shipments into the