Milford chronicle., 1930-12-26
WEEKLY PRODUCE
MARKET NOTES

er quiet since the middle of Decem-
ber. Dull trade in the wholesale
markets is not unusual at the time
of year, since the retail dealers have
already been supplied and the ac-
tivity, shifts from wholesale to re-
tail buying. Weather, too, was a
little milder than is desirable for
the trade in food products. The gem
eral result appeared in the form of
light carlot shipments of most fresh
produce, with no pronounced price
tendency at shipping points or in
the representative consuming mar
kets.
Potato Prices Hold
Eastern potato markets have made
q better showing than those of the
Middle West, and have held in a
general way the price advances
made early in December The re-
vised crop report recently issued
was not unfavorable to the market.
1t is shown that the production is
about the same as that of last sea-
son. Prices have been lower by
about One-third, which apparently
leaves some room for further ad-
Vances if market conditions become
more favorable. The North Atlantic
States had q fairly good potato crop
and show an increase of 2.6 per
cent over the 1929 season. The far
western States had a very good
crop. The shortage was in the north
central region, with a decrease oi
about 12 per cent compared with
last season. Maine, the principal
eastern potato State, had 10 per
cent fewer potatoes, and the price IS
so low that the crop is valued at
only about half that of last season.
Shipments of potatoes have been
decreasing since the middle of the
month, owing to weather conditions
and light demand at shipping points.
Prices have advanced DC in some
producing sections and various city
markets report sc to 15c higher
prices, but the general level has not
changed greatly. Maine Green
Mountains were selling the third
week in December at $1.75 to $2.05
per hundred pounds in eastern cit
les. Long Island potatoes, as usual,
sell little higher than Maine stock |
and brought as high as $3.50 in
Washington. Pennsylvania and New
York stock sells at $165 to $1.75 in |
large eastern markets. Desirable |
lots from western New York |
brought as high as So to S2.35 in
Washington and Atlanta. Growers |
in eastern producing sections have |
been showing little interest in let
ting their potatoes go at prevailing
prices. In western New York they
are receiving at present Csc to zoe,
occasionally 75c, bushel. Low tenn
peratures at times have prevented
hauling because of the risk of free
zing. Most sections of New York,
Long Island being an exception,
have shipped much more lightly this
season. Eastern markets have been /
supplied heavily from Maine and
Idaho.
Cabbage and Onions Steady
Shipments of cabbage from all
sources have usually exceeded 100
cars daily so far this month. Most
of the receipts in eastern markets
are from New York State, but sup
plies are increasing from Texas,
South Carolina, and Florida, some
times amounting to about one-third
of the daily output. Prices of old
cabbage have held fairly well the
gains in price reached early in the
month. The bookkeeping Danish
type sells at 500 to $23 per ton bulk
in most eastern cities, but went as
low as SIG in Pittsburgh. Pennsyl-
vania cabbage brings $1.15 to $1.25
per hundred pounds sacked.
Occasional sales of late cabbage
are reported around $50 per ton.
New cabbage from South Carolina ,
declined rather sharply in New York !
and Boston, with sales mostly $125 :
to $1.75 per 1 1-2 bushel hamper.
Nearly all of the large eastern mar
kets report supplies moderate and ;
demand slow. Dull markets prevail '
ed in eastern shipping sections and 4
loaded cars were accommodating on +
the tracks in western New York. +
Onion shipments have been heavy, h
at the rate of so to rs cars daily, S
since the middle of December. Most v
of the receipts are from New York
and middle western sources. The t
large markets are moderately sup s
piled, but demand is slow to very b
slow and prices no more than hold a
their own. New York yellow stock
has been selling at 81 to slips per h
100 pounds in eastern cities the is
third week of December. Some Of 3
he more desirable lots brought as q
high as $1.50 in New York. Prices Il
are unchanged at eastern and mid
western country shipping points, N
With scarcely enough business n
transacted to warrant quotations. p
The No. l grade has been holding at u
around 81 per 100-pound bag, and l.
smaller sizes at soc at shipping ..
points. The output of onions from II II
Iew York producing sections has =,
,een heavier than in any recent -
year at a corresponding date. :,
Celery Trade Dull w
The anticipated active holiday de- :
hand for celery does not seem to ci
lave appeared either in producing 8;
ections or in the large markets. III
The demand has continued rather J.
low, without any upward tendency fo
n price. Carlot sales of two-thirds M
rates. of sizes ranging from four to Ia
tx dozen were made at $1.75 to al
1856 in mid-December. A few crates