Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-24
VEGETABLE PRICES
REMAIN UNSETTLED
Eastern Potato Markets Are
Slightly Higher, but Gen.
eraI Tone Is Irregular.

Eastern. potato markets responded a
little to. the December crop report
showing production considerably below
the. November estimate and not much
larger than last seasons crop, says the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture, Bureau of Agricultural Economics,
Market News Service. There were gains
of about cents per 100 pounds at
several country shipping points, but
trade was dull in the preholiday mar
kets and there was not much change
in range CT prices in the large con-
Stunning centers. Maine Green Noun
tains followed a jobbing range OF
S19O to S2.10 per 100 pounds in six
Eastern cities LCl J Island stock sold
a little higher than Maine potatoes,
reaching top of S2.l5 in New York.
Round white varieties from Western
New York sold at $1.80 to $3.50 in
Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The Chi
cago market failed to show the f1rmer
tone OF Eastern market centers, owing
to rather liberal arrivals from Western
and Northern points.
Prices of sweet potatoes were irreg-
ular and unsettled in late December.
Delaware and Maryland yellow stock
gained slightly, reaching SIPS to Sl.65
per bushel in consuming markets.
There was a wide range on New Jersey
sweets at ST 80 to S2.25. Baltimore re-
ported few sales of Virginia yellow
potatoes at 1925 to $3.50 per barrel.
North Carolina Porto Ricans followed
a iobbing range of 81 to $3.50 per
bushel. Tennessee and Delaware were
leading sources Of supply to Eastern
markets, and shipments from all
sources increased somewhat preceding
the year-end holiday market season.
Sweet potatoes are one of the few lines
of produce still selling close to the
price level of year ago. The Decem-
Der crop report showed little change
from the November figures and the
crop is still indicated well below that
of last season and about 100000
bushels under the five-year average.
The New Jersey crop is slightly larger
than year ago, but the Eastern Shore
area produced little more than half
have been running about 20 per cent
less than for the same period last
season.
Cabbage and Onions Lower.
The general price range of cabbage
tended downward after the middle Of
December, although prices were holding
producing sections at S14 per ton bulk.
Wisconsin cabbage sold generally below
$40 in producing sections. City mar
kets were mostly lower at $l8 to S23
per ton, or 81 to $l.15 per 100-pound
sack Most of the city markets re-
ported supplies moderate and demand
Slow for old cabbage. New cabbage
appeared to be in liberal supply for this
time of the year in New York and some
other markets. Florida stock sold at
rs cents to SIPS per 1l2-bushel hamper
in New York. but mostly $150 to SITS
in other Eastern cities. South Carolina
cabbage brought 81 to 50 in Northern
markets. Southern red cabbage was
quoted at $3.50 per hamper in Chicago.
Prices of onions were lower at East
ern and Northern shipping points In
late December because of light demand.
Western New York shippers received
about 80 cents per 100-pound sack Tor
best yellow stock Onion shipments
were light and trading generally slow.
Prices of old onions are far below those
of a year ago. They sell at about half
the price prevailing in producing sec
tons late in 1929. z Shipments decreased
and averaged only about rs cars daily
the third week of December. Markets
are expected to follow weather condi-
lions more or less for the holiday sea-
son.
The present low prices are unsatis-
factory to holders and tend to reduce
shipments. Conditions interfering with
activities at shipping points might
bring moderate advances in consuming
markets, because the trade has been
buying only in small lots. and probable
holdings in city markets are very mod
crate, despite the large quantity held at
some country shipping points.
Apple Shipments Lighter.
Carlct shipments of apples are stead
ily decreasing but there are liberal
holdings in cold storage, and all East
ern markets report moderate to liberal
supplies. Demand seems 10 be fairly
good and prices hold at nearly the same
level as. in mid-December. New York
Rhode Island Greetings indicate gen.
eral apple market position in leading
centers at ST to $3.50 per bushel and 81
to s6 barrel StaymanS are reported
in a few markets at $3.50 to Sl.85 and
Eastern Delicious at 50 to S2.25. Bald
wins appear to be in limited supply. but
were quoted in late December at SAD
to $3.50 per barrel in New York CITY
New York Mcintosh brought S. to $3.50
and Kings 81 to $3.50.