Califorina prune industry may face market adjustment

During the next few years the California prune industry will probably go through a period of difficult adjustment largely because of the poor and uncertain foreign market outlook. Demand for California dried prunes will have to be increased or bearing acreage and average production decreased before prices can be expected that, without government support, will encourage efficient growers to maintain most of the good prune orchards in the state. During the next few years prices and overall demand for California dried prunes will probably continue to be held down: 1. At home, by keen competition from very plentiful supplies of fruits and popular fruit products; 2. Abroad, by considerably lower commercial demand and imports for our prunes than prevailed before the war, particularly in European markets.