The Walnut Market

The very fact that in 1907 Oregon-grown walnuts commanded several cents

a pound higher price than those grown elsewhere indicates their market

value. When ordinary nuts sold for 12 and 16 cents a pound Oregon nuts

brought 18 and 20 cents.



New York dealers who cater to the costliest trade throughout the United

States, and who have never handled for this purpose any but the finest

types of imported nuts, pronounced the Oregon product satisfactory from

every standpoint--finely flavored, nutty, meaty and delicious. They were

glad to pay an extra price to secure all that were available.



In the home market the leading dealers of Portland and Northwest cities

readily dispose of all of the Oregon walnuts obtainable at an advanced

price. In fact, the Oregon walnut has commanded a premium in every

market into which it has been introduced.



California walnuts are largely shipped east, the percentage entering the

northern markets being comparatively small. The annual sum expended in

Oregon for imported nuts at the present time is $400,000. When the

Oregon growers are able to supply the home demand alone, shutting out

importations, the population of Oregon will have more than doubled, and

the amount expended in this state for walnuts will approach if it does

not exceed the million-dollar mark. In addition to this the eastern

markets will be clamoring for Oregon walnuts, as they now absorb Hood

River apples, Willamette valley cherries and Rogue River valley pears.

With eastern buyers always ready to pay an extra price for extra grade

products, superior grades of Oregon walnuts will undoubtedly be

contracted for, leaving only the culls for home consumption.



It has been conservatively estimated that at the rate the population of

the United States is increasing, and the rate walnut consumption is

increasing, by the time every available acre in Oregon is in full

bearing the supply will still fall far short of the demand. Judging by

past experience in California this is no chimerical conception. Since

1896 the walnut crop in that state has steadily increased, and in like

proportion has the price advanced, from seven cents in 1896 to twenty

cents in 1907.