The climate of Greece is favorable for citrus-fruit production, and fruit of high quality is produced in Creto, Chios, and Sparta. In 1935 about 150,000 new citrus trees were planted, and production has constantly increased as new plantings have come into bearing. A number of grapefruit cuttings were obtained from the United States in 1936, and this fruit is expected to become a factor in both the domestic and the export trade of Greece. Exports of all citrus fruits amount to from 200,000 to 300,000 boxes a year.

1 Converted to boxes as follows: Lemons 300, citrons 300, oranges and mandarins and "other," 200 fruit to the box.

ITALY

The cultivation of citrus fruits in Italy underwent its most intensive development between 1860 and 1890, impelled by the steady increase in demand from foreign markets. Up to 1850, production satisfied domestic requirements only; after that year, exports began and production increased. Production reached the equivalent of 14,200,000 boxes for all kinds of citrus fruits by 1920, and in 1932 reached a peak of 36,700,000 boxes. Since the latter year, production has remained at between 22 and 27 million boxes. Over 70 percent of Italy's citrus fruit is produced in Sicily, about 20 percent in Calabria, and smaller quantities in Campania, Latium, Sardinia, and Apulia.

Production of Citrus Fruits in Italy, by Leading Producing Provinces, 1935–38 [Boxes of 70 pounds]

Lemons, oranges, and mandarins are the principal citrus fruits of Italy which enter foreign trade. The National Export Institute has control over these exports, regulating the size, packing, labeling, and quality of the fruit entering into such trade. In foreign countries the fruit is usually marketed through merchants who purchase from the grower and export the fruit under their own names and at their own risk. Some of the export trade is handled directly by the producers' cooperative societies.

The export of citrus fruit has been steady, with an upward trend. From 1861-65, when such shipments averaged 1,954,800 cases, exports increased sixfold by the 1906-10 period, and by 1931-35 averaged 11,434,000 cases. Exports reached a peak in 1933, when over 13 million cases were shipped to other countries. Between 53 ard 55 percent of the lemons produced in Italy are exported, a little over 40 percent of the oranges, and over 20 percent of the mandarins. Lemons constitute about 65 percent of the exports of citrus fruits. The lemon harvest is divided into the winter and summer seasons. The winter season, during which the "primofiore" lemon is harvested, extends from October into April; and the summer season, during which the Verdelli lemon is harvested, begins in May and extends into September. Other types of lemons are harvested during these periods, but the two mentioned are the most important commercially.

Lemons are exported mainly by sea, although some shipments are made overland to European countries. Sicilian lemons are packed in boxes, with 300, 360, and 490 lemons to the box, but those shipped overland are generally packed loose, in packages or in carload lots.

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Although production of oranges in Italy approximates that of lemons, exports of oranges are considerably less than exports of lemons. The orange harvest in Sicily and Calabria, which produce about 80 percent of the entire crop, begins in November, and the crop moves to market in large volume from December through April. Blood oranges, which come on the market in January, are widely known and find a good market in Europe. Oranges are exported mainly overland. Mandarin harvest and marketing begin in November, reach a peak in December in time for the holiday trade, and close in February. Mandarins are also exported by overland routes.

Lemon exports have declined since 1933, mainly because of a reduction in production but to some degree as a result of smaller importations from Italy by some countries.

Italy has dropped from first to second place in world lemon production, but supplies about 80 percent of world exports. It takes fourth place as a producer of oranges and mandarins, but fifth place as an exporter.

Exports of Citrus Fruits From Italy, 1935-38