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As the area planted was extended by only 500 acres in 1936-37, it would appear that production has reached the point where both the domestic consumption and foreign markets can absorb the crop with difficulty. With the recent plantings coming into production, it is expected that the quantity of exportable fruit may reach 23,500,000 boxes by 1944.

Cooperation in the industry began about 1900, and now about half of the citrus fruit is marketed through growers' organizations. The Government is active in requiring adequate inspection of the quality and packing of fruit for export, in promoting and directing advertising in export markets (regulating the fee for advertising paid by the growers), and in the control of insect pests.

Palestine oranges are exported from November to April, with the heaviest movement from December through March. Shipments are not made after April because of the activity of the fruit fly at that time. Grapefruit are exported from October to April, arriving on foreign markets at the same time the citrus fruits from Spain, Brazil, and Italy reach them.

In 1939 the Palestine Government limited the number of sizes of boxes in which oranges and grapefruit may be exported, and prohibited the export of large oranges with a count below 120 to a box. The packing method was restricted to the "American" system, and a special concession was made to permit the packing of certian counts of Valencia oranges in larger boxes. The sizes of the boxes vary, as well as the number of fruits which may be packed in each box. The sizes of the boxes are strictly regulated, and are modified according to the exports of each season. Oranges are packed from 120 to 294 in a box, while grapefruit are packed from 64 to 112 to a box; but each box must contain fruit of but one size.

Palestine citrus fruits move to market in such large volume that it is difficult to obtain adequate shipping space. Frequently the fruit is shipped without refrigeration and in open stowage on the vesselsa practice which entails considerable loss. Efforts are made to regulate the flow of the fruit to market.

Exports of Citrus Fruits From Palestine, 1927-28 to 1938–39

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Exports of Citrus Fruits From Palestine, by Countries, 1935–36 to 1938–39

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In the French mandated territory of the Levant (including Syria, Lebanon, Latakia, Alexandretta, and Djebel-Druze) the production of citrus fruits has increased steadily during the past few years. About 90 percent of the citrus fruits are grown in Lebanon. Oranges, mandarins, and lemons are exported. The export season extends from September through March. Production of citrus fruits in recent

years has been as follows (in boxes of 70 pounds each): 1934, 1,635,090; 1935, 998,904; 1936, 1,451,068; 1937, 1,731,619; 1938, 1,675,436.

Exports of citrus fruits from the Levant have been handicapped by lack of adequate cold-storage space on vessels operating between that area and Europe. The exports of oranges and mandarins have gone chiefly to France, but lemons have found outlets in other European countries. Exports of oranges exceeded those of lemons for the first time in 1937.

Imports of citrus fruits consist largely of oranges and mandarins from Palestine.

Imports of Citrus Fruits Into Syria, 1936-38

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SOUTH PACIFIC

AUSTRALIA

Production of citrus fruits in Australia has varied but little during the past 6 years. Oranges, lemons, and a small quantity of grapefruit are grown. The principal types of oranges are the navel and the Valencia-about equally important. The production of grapefruit is of recent origin and the output is still small. The area in this fruit was about 800 acres in 1938. Navel oranges are harvested from May to early August, Valencias from September to December, and grapefruit from April to February.

Production of Citrus Fruits in Australia,1 1933–34 to 1939–40

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1 Victoría, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and West Australia.

About 70 percent of the citrus trees are planted in the coastal districts of New South Wales. Victoria and South Australia are next in importance as citrus-producing States. The main production areas for grapefruit are the irrigated districts of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia.

Production of Citrus Fruits in New South Wales and Victoria, 1937–38 and 1938–39

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The export season for oranges and lemons extends from about the middle of June to about the middle of October, and the main marketing period for grapefruit extends from June to November. The principal market, New Zealand, has an embargo on oranges from Australia except those originating in South Australia, owing to the existence of the fruit fly in other areas.

The "orange case" is used for the shipment of citrus fruit to Europe and Canada, and also to Eastern ports, but shipments to the lastnamed area may be made in the Australian or standard bushel box. Australian citrus fruits are exported in three grades special, standard, and good. In order to promote the export of citrus fruits, particularly to England and other European countries, the Government has for many years granted a bounty on exports to all countries except New Zealand.

Foreign Trade of Australia in Citrus Fruits, 1934-35 to 1937-38

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The citrus industry of New Zealand is small and of fairly recent. development. In 1936 the area under citrus fruits included 1,300 acres with 96,034 lemon trees and 584 acres with 46,153 orange trees.. Production in 1935-36 consisted of 36,900 bushels of oranges, 148,200 bushels of lemons, and 200 bushels of other citrus fruits, mainly grapefruit. Lemon production rose to 177,700 bushels in 1936-37. Grapefruit is but little known because of the poor quality of the domestic fruit and the high cost of that imported. Lemon production almost satisfies the demand, less than 10 percent of the consumption being supplied by imports. Both navel and Valencia oranges are grown. The quality of the domestic fruit is considerably lower than that of the imported fruit, but steps have been taken by the Government to insure better care in harvesting and marketing the domestic crop.

Cook Islands, politically a part of New Zeland, are a source of many of the oranges used in New Zealand. Shipments from the islands to New Zealand (in 1936 totaling 74,330 cases of oranges and 541 packages of orange juice) have varied but little from year to yearduring the past 5 years. The Government has taken measures to improve the quality, as well as the grading and packing, of the Cook Islands fruit.

Per capita consumption of citrus fruit in New Zealand has increased, having risen from 9.15 pounds of oranges in 1930 to 11.1 pounds in 1936, and 1.8 pounds of lemons in 1930 to 3.7 pounds in 1936.

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