Gum Producers Can Improve Quality Of Gum Marketed and Get Higher Prices

Abstract

Acid waste from over-treatment and old, wornout iron cups have contributed significantly to the generally poor quality of gum marketed. Today producers are reluctant to purchase new cups and gutters and invest up to $1.80 per tree for production when the market price for gum averages 14.54 per pound annually. Guidelines are given for improving the quality by eliminating the impurities and marketing cleaner gum.From 1969 to 1978, comparative data show that prices and demand for high-quality WW and WG grades of pine gum have increased, yet the percentage of the annual production in the top grades has not kept pace. Gum prices for this period increased 110 percent, while production decreased by 72 percent. Only 34 percent of the annual production graded WW or WG.

Citation

Clements, Ralph W. 1979. Gum Producers Can Improve Quality Of Gum Marketed and Get Higher Prices. Res. Note SE-274. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 8 p.