British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 338

CHAPTER IX.

62. In the years immediately preceding the war, with exports ranging from 11 to 15 million cases and steadily increasing. returns were, however, generally not remunerative despite the fact that Spanish oranges were at that time largely off the market and European markets were mostly open. It was recorded in 1938 that the development of fresh areas for citrus growing had almost ceased. It should be stated, however, that "sales" in many European markets could at that time be made only under unsatisfactory barter arrangements, that import duty was payable on exports to the United Kingdom and that the Russian market was not open. It will have been noted from table 2- that there is a seasonal variation in the value of cases; a case of oranges is assessed at slightly more than 300 mils in 1926/27; over 4,00 mils in 1932/33 and 1935/36; and below 300 mils in 1938/39. While values are to be regarded as approximate, representing the value set by the exporter at the time of export and not necessarily the value realised, the trend is indicative. A crisis in the industry was imminent and was precipitated by the outbreak of war which naturally •hit. very bard an industry which relies primarily on' export of a perishable product. Exports dropped to 71/2 million cases in 1939-*10 and became negligible (including bulk exports they did not approach the level of 1,000,000 cases until 1943) in the 1940-43 period when they were limited to supplying military and. civilian requirements in the Middle East. Exports to the United Kingdom were resumed in 1943-44 and will this season total some 2! million cases which, with exports to the continent, will result in a total cased export of about 4 million cases. During this and the past season, with an estimated total citrus crop of from 7 to 8 million cases each season, the demand has approximated to the supply with, in addition to cased exports, bulk exports to nearby countries, local market requirements, Army purchases and supplies to citrus products factories principally for the manufacture of concentrated juice.

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63. With the help of cultivation advances issued by the principal Banks, guaranteed and later taken over year by year by the Government, which advances now total £P.3,329,995 net, the principal citrus plantations have, considering the circumstances, been well maintained both as regards area and condition. The area assisted by cultivation advances has averaged some 160,000 dunums and has only included groves in relatively good condition. Statements giving the amounts annually advanced, recoveries and the rate per dun um are given in paragraphs 109 and 110 below. An analysis of the indebtedness of that section of the industry which applied for advances is given in paragraph 200 of chapter XVI. The growers have also been assisted by temporary remission

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