Excerpts from the report Preface: This study of shipping California citrus fruit overseas is part of a broad program of research to achieve more efficient distribution of our farm products. The purpose of one phase of this research is to evaluate, improve, and maintain the quality of food in transit and while it is moving through marketing channels. Adoption of fiberboard containers introduced a transit refrigeration problem because of the insulating properties of fiberboard and because these containers were stowed more compactly, which retarded the circulation of the refrigerated air. As a result, spoilage of the fruit, particularly oranges, in these shipments increased. This increase in spoilage during shipment and after arrival at destination has caused dissatisfaction among the exporters and European receivers. This study has provided information on how to reduce spoilage of fruit. It is hoped that this information will help to solve the problems of transporting overseas citrus fruit packed in fiberboard containers.