The herald., 1895-12-01
Dried Fruit and the Prices Now
Offered
THE MARKET IS IMPROVING
European Orders Cause a Sharp Ad.
vance in Prunes
Apricots Are In r1oderate Demand and Peaches
at Last Show Signs Of Life-The
Rise In Raisins

The Pacific Rural Press furnishes the
following review of the condition OF the
dried fruit market:
There is a somew homogeneous situ-
alton in the east respecting California
dried fruit. From some districts, where
stocks of consigned goods have been
cleaned up, there is good demand. from
other places, where some consigned goods
still remain, prices have improved lit
tie, but dealers refuss to do business on
the +. O. b. basis, and demand more con-
signments, which, it is to be hoped, they
won't get.
Pruncs have been tho leading article
during the week and have scored a sharp
advance, owing principally to orders re.
ceived from Germany and England. In
these markets prunes are selling al con-
siderable advance above parity with our
prices for the same grades-that is, the
price in Lodon, for example, is Tar IN
excess of the price here with the cost Of
carriage added. The demand during the
past week has been chiefly tor 40's and
b0's. which are selling at cents per
pound in SACKS. careful canvass of the
state shows that about five-eighths of the
prune crop has been shipped; and with
almos no imports, there ought to be no
difficutly.in disposing of every pound
still on hand 1t good prices within the
next few months. The four sizes in sacks
are now quotable in this market 1T cents.
There has, during the past week, been %
good deal of speculative buying by local
parties which will enable them sto sell at
he prices quoted. 1T should be added that
eastern merchants are not yet responding
to the adavnce, not being able to see the
reason for the sudden bulge IN prices. If
they do not come to terms, many who
have bought on speculation may have to
let go, which, of course, would tempofar-
lily weaken the market.
Apricots are steady, and in moderate
demand on the basis of 8 cents for choice
stock
Peaches are. showing moe activity.
Fancy grades are quOtable at 6@611c;
extra choice, 5@51@c; choice, 4A@4es;
prime, 3@31ac.
Nectarines are dragging. There few
on hand anh nobody seems to want them.
Owing to lack of business quotations are
nominal-4H@5Hc. as to quality. 1t is
only fair 10 add that il is expected that
the small stock on hand will go out later
at goud prices. il forced. There are so
few pears on the market that the atten-
tiOn OF the trade is not directed to them.
The best quotations obtainable-based on
eales of Tag" lots-are as follows:
Fancy, Sc; choice, 4kc; prime, $40.
Figs Vhry 50 wluely IN S'Ze anu curing
that quotations are likely to be mislead-
Ing. Large, well-cured stock IN l0-lb.
boxes in San Francisco are quotable at
T0o per box; fair quality in 25-lb. boxes,
&c per It.; very choice in bags, SC /;
poorer qualities are neglected.
The cessation of consignments on til 9
part OF ralsIn packers has caused a better
lone all through the eastern states. In
different markets consigned goods are
bringing - to &c advance. Packers are
encouraged and are still holding ON to
their goots vita th. IDEA OF letting east
ern people get hungry before they shi p
crown clusters are scarce and com ma nd
!ul prices. Sultanas are in small sup
ply and are in good demand Il. 315@5c,
according to quality, for bleached, and
bL@3l& for choice unbleached.