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Algerian Production and Exportation of Citrus Fruits, 1932-33 to 1936-37

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The area planted in oranges (including mandarins) in Egypt increased from an average of 8,250 acres for the 5-year period 1924-28 to 28,000 acres in 1936. The area planted to all kinds of citrus fruit in 1936 was 35,000 acres. Further expansion is contemplated, depending upon the development of foreign markets. Citrus fruits-oranges, mandarins, limes, and lemons are grown mainly in Middle Egypt, but are also grown in Lower Egypt and to a small extent in Upper Egypt. The Ministry of Agriculture of Egypt estimates production as follows (no production figures are available prior to 1935-36).

Production of Citrus Fruit in Egypt, 1935-36 to 1937-38
[Boxes of 200 fruits except mandarins, which are 84 to the box]

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The development of the citrus industry may be noted from the increase in the number of trees.

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A large percentage of the acreage in citrus fruits is just beginning to bear, and production will increase for some years. The climate and soil are favorable to the production of high-grade fruit of good keeping quality. The most important orange grown is the Balady, a native sweet orange. Navel oranges of good texture and flavor are also grown, while Valencias are produced to only a limited extent. Lemons are grown principally for the local market. Grapefruit production is comparatively new and at present is small.

The methods of picking and packing citrus fruits are similar to those practiced in other Mediterranean countries. Modern machinery is used in the packing houses. The fruit for export is wrapped, sized, and packed in lidded and labeled boxes. The Egyptian Government pays a bounty on citrus-fruit exports when they comply with regulations for standard containers, grades, sizes of fruit, and labels. The industry depends greatly upon this Government subsidy.

The main export season for citrus fruit extends from November through April. Oranges are exported from October to May and mandarins throughout the year, but principally in November and December. The costs of production of citrus fruits are low, and the fruit can be laid down in foreign markets at a price highly competitive with that of fruit from other countries.

During the period from July to November inclusive a small quantity of citrus fruit is imported into Egypt.

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Foreign Trade of Egypt in Citrus Fruits, 1935-38—Continued
[Boxes of 70 pounds]

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The soil and climate of French Morocco are especially suited for citrus-fruit culture, but orange growing has developed since 1920, at which time there were practically no orange groves in the country. The number of citrus trees has increased as follows: 1928-32 (average), 344,305; 1933, 631,966; 1934, 778,095; 1935, 850,000.

Orange production in 1935-36 amounted to 557,450 boxes. It is expected that by 1941 production will reach between 1,120,000 and 1,260,000 boxes. Orange trees in Morocco are reported to be very productive, yielding 200 to 300 oranges a year at 6 years, 500 to 600 in the tenth and eleventh years, and under favorable conditions 1,000 oranges per tree.

The Government maintains strict control over citrus-fruit exports, and enforces strict inspection. Modern methods and equipment are used in preparing and packing for export. The export season extends from November to April, inclusive. All but a negligible quantity of the citrus-fruit exports in recent years have gone to France and Algeria.

Exports of citrus fruits-including lemons, oranges, and mandarins, mostly oranges-from French Morocco from 1932 to 1938 were (in boxes of 70 pounds each):

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Citrus fruits have been grown in Portuguese East Africa for many years, but production became important enough to permit exports about 1930. In that year a precooling plant was opened, and the Government enacted export regulations similar to those in force in the Union of South Africa. According to the Department of Agri

culture of Mozambique, about 3,240 acres are planted to citrus fruits, and production in 1930 was about as follows (in boxes): Oranges, 129,500; tangerines, 6,990; grapefruit, 20,200; lemons, 1,260; miscellaneous, 7,900.

About 40 percent of the fruit is exported. Both production and export have increased. Fruit for export is packed in wooden cases, but that for sale on the domestic market is packed in containers of various types and sizes. Exports are directed mainly to Portugal, France, and the United Kingdom, but in 1935 exports began to flow to the Scandinavian countries and to other European countries. Exports are shipped from April through July.

Exports of Citrus Fruits From Portuguese East Africa, 1935-38

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Citrus fruits are produced in the Union of South Africa, Rhodesia, Mozambique, Tanganyika, Nyasaland, Kenya, and Uganda; but in only the three areas first mentioned are these fruits produced on a commercial scale.

In the Union of South Africa production has been steadily increasing. Citrus fruits have been grown in the Union for about 300 years, but were produced mainly for home consumption until about the time of the World War, 1914-18. During the war, South African oranges were sold at good prices, and citrus production began to expand rapidly. A number of large citrus groves were planted, some of which rank with the largest in the world. The importance of the citrus industry at the present time is indicated by the fact that about $100,000,000 is invested in it and that citrus fruits rank second in

value among exports of primary agricultural products, being exceeded only by wool.

Prior to 1925, oranges were grown almost exclusively, lemon production being small. In 1925 interest was aroused in grapefruit, and plantings increased 25 percent in the following 5 years. Plantings of lemon and mandarin trees have declined. No data on actual production of citrus fruits in the Union of South Africa are compiled, but the trend is indicated by the following table showing the number of trees the produce of which is grown for sale.

Citrus Fruit Trees in the Union of South Africa, 1926-36

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The navel and Valencia oranges are grown for export in practically equal volume. The pineapple orange has been favorably received and promises well, although it has many seeds. The Marsh Seedless. grapefruit is the principal type grown for export. The lemon industry is affected by production in Italy and Spain, but exports of lemons. have steadily increased during the past 5 years.

Exports of citrus fruits increased steadily from 66,000 boxes in 1917 to 2,648,000 boxes in 1936. The Government has fostered the export of citrus fruits by subsidies and other aids. Export regulations as to quality, appearance, packing, and containers are enforced, and each year these regulations are issued anew. A voluntary national mark has been adopted. The export season extends from April to November, and the bulk of the fruit reaches the United Kingdom market at the same period during which citrus fruits from Brazil arrive there. Exports of Citrus Fruits From the Union of South Africa, 1917-38

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Exports of Citrus Fruits From the Union of South Africa, by Countries, 1935-38

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