White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1926-10-08
PRESENT SYSTEM LACKS
MARKETING INFORMATION


out me giaring weakness OF our
present marAerlrg system. = In years
u snort crops, when tie demand IS
naturally sCou, growers. and shippers
can get by wlrn almost any KIND OF
ma. krtins system.
lrregu.ariry In shipping perishable
fruits and vegetables to markets, and
failure to gauge the probable demand
ior such products are among the
primary reasons for the wide price
liuctuation that involve heavy losses
to shippers the New York Marketing
Research Council has found in study
of the situation. The Council is a
cooperative group composed of the
United States Department of Agri-
culture, New York State College of
Agriculture, New York State De-
partment Of Farms and Markets,
New York University, Port of New
York Authority, Columbia University,
and the New Jersey State College
Of Agriculture.
Products that are susceptible to
rapid deterioration, says the Coun-
Gil, must be disposed of shortly after
ariiva! at the point of destination.
The uncertainty of price presents
problem in adjusting supply to de-
mand with a nicely that is required
for few other agricultural COM
modties.
Failure of the product to bring
even the cost of transportation
indicates, says the Council that the
policy Of marketing followed by
many shippers is subject to
rs
of low grade fruit should never have
been started from the farm. Even
with the better grade of fruit dis
tribution could have been more
effective.
Much of the greater supply of per-
ishab,e fruits and vegetables is trans
ported by rail. Facilities exist at
various points for holding over and
reconsigning cars while enroute to
enable more flexible movement OF
supplies. These physical improve
ments are an aid in bringing about
more orderly distribution. yet it is
apparent, says the Council, that the
most advantageous use has not been
made of them, inasmuch as markets
continue to be over and under
supplied.
This situation, it has been found,
is brought about largely as the result
of the inability of shippers and deal
ers to estimate accurately the demand
requirements of the several markets
A prcdoninating influence on their
judgment is the current price. To
Guy's high price induces heavy ship
ments which, OH arriving, depress
prices below those expected, or ship
ments are withheld as the result o.
a current low price only to boost it
again to higher levels.
ylnotil:r factor which emphasizes
the need for more exact knowledge
of the demand for perishables in the
length of the season in which the
crop is harvested and sold. 1t is we'll
known that there is a seasonal equi-
librium price dependent upon the
size of the crop. A small crop will
that can be stored. 1t is true also
of perishables, with the exception
that. the price is affected also by the
time interval in which the bulk of
the commodity goes to market
There has been an increasing de-
mand or market information on
rerishable products. furnished by the
Department of Agriculture. The
service has been expanded recently to
include more markets, the statistical
data on shipments, market conditions,
and prices being available to pro-
ducers. shippers and other operators
in the fruit and vegetable industry.
REQUESTS nor information should be
addressed to the Department. of Agri-
culture. Washington. D. c.