Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-21
PRODUCE ADVANCES
IN APRIL DECLINE.
Eggs, Butter, Potatoes and
Most Vegetables Slip Since
18th of Month.

18th of Month.
Many Of the price advances made early
in the April or before that time were
slipping away soon after the middle Of
the month. Part Of the weakness was
the result Of Spring increase Of produc-
ton or shipments which brought lower
prices for eggs, butter, potatoes and
most vegetables. Apples lost part OF the
April gain. Live stock markets showed
comparatively little net change. Grain,
hay and mill feeds were mostly selling a
little higher after the middle Of April.
Potato Market Irregular.
New potatoes held firm in the North,
but old stock declined in some markets
and Maine potatoes sold at nearly
steady prices. The Arizona lettuce sea-
son Is closing earlier than expected. In
tended lettuce acreage in the first group
of I'VE late States is reported slightly
smaller than the area last season, with
decreases in New York and Colorado
Intended acreage of onions in II late
shipping States Is expected to show q
net decrease Of 10 per cent from last
season and amount TO only 50,670 acres
Northern markets quoted lower prices
on strawberries. Baldwin apples were
a little weaker in Western New York
but extra fancy boxed fruit held firmly
in the Pacific Northwest. Paintings OF
string beans in seven intermediate
States are expected to show a decrease
Of IL per cent and may total only 49,
$50 acres.
Very little activity was reported in
Eastern field bean markets during early
April and prices were generally I'M
changed.
Butter Prices Down.
Undoubtedly the primary cause Of the
weakness in the butter market in mid,
April was the heavier receipts which
failed to find a ready outlet. Receivers
see little possibility Of lighter arrivals
in the immediate future. Reports from
most sections indicate that the make OF
butter during April will exceed that OF
the same month a year ago.
The milk situation in April included
an increased milk flow and practically
stationary consumption trend, with ar
easy to weak market tone, which, in
turn, was reflected in further price re.
auctions in many sections OF the
country.
Cheese markets at distributing points
reflected the lower country costs, and
were about steady to easy in most quar-
tiers. At the lower market on fresh
cheese, trading was slow, as buyers con-
tinued to purchase only to fill most
urgent needs. Cured and held styles
continued steady, with trading nominal
A reflection of the lighter consumer
demand for cheese, at least to some de-
gree, was the lighter net out-of-storage
movement of cheese in several leading
markets.
Egg Markets Weaken.
Egg supplies from nearby Eastern
areas, although showing a marked de-
crease under supplies Of last year al
this time, were still slightly in excess
of trade requirements, and losses OF
"A to cent per dozen were registered
The greater part of trade require
ments for poultry are being satisfied
from warehouse stocks. The compare
lively light stocks this year have made
1t unnecessary for dealers to push
frozen poultry aggressively, or to make
concessions in order to promote sales
Stocks, however. are reported as being
satisfactorily reduced.
Cattle Lower.
Prices Of medium and weighty steers
dropped TO 1926 levels at Chicago near
the middle of April, following a sudden
expansion in receipts. Downturns or
such kinds ranged from so cents to 81
per 100 pounds, as compared with the
preceding week. Light steers suffered
price declines amounting largely to .5t
cents, although light yearling steers and
light heifers and mixed yearlings were
steady to IS cents higher.
Hog shipping requirements were
rather limited, although Of about the
same volume rs for the preceding week
Prices did not change much near the
middle of April.
Statesmen were insistent on higher
lamb prices, but buyers were indifferent
The bulk of good and choice woolec
lambs, 80 pounds down, realized $9.7s
to $3.50 and heavier weights sold al
1925 TO $3.50. Best clipped lambs
brought 1925, with heavyweights sell.
ing at $3.50 to SO.
A slower wool market at Boston
tended to halt any further price ad.
vances. Some activity was noted II
mohair tops and Sorts but domestic hail
! in original bag lots was quiet.
Grain Markets Generally Steady.
Domestic grain markets were gener-
ally steady during the third week q
| April. Continued dryness in NORTH
American Spring wheat areas, together
with increased takings by important
consuming countries, strengthened thu
| world wheat situation. This news wa
reflected in a firmer tone in domestic
| wheat markets, where offerings wert
smaller and pill inquiry fairly active
Feed grains were mostly flrmer under
| an active industrial and feeder demand
| Rye was steady with wheat while fla'
remained firm as result of reduced
| marketingS and continued IAN
crusher inquiry.
Hay Supply Moderate.
Timothy hay markets were generally
| steady to somewhat stronger, witt
moderate to light offerings in good re-
| quest. Light arrivals at New York City
consisting largely of medium and lower
grade hay, moved slowly at prices av'
| eraging slightly below those for the pre-
1 vious week.
| The condition of April pastures wal
below the usual average at that time OF
year in practically all Eastern States
However, pastures have improved ma
terially from last Fall when their con-
dttion was unusually low.
Prices of wheat feeds fuctuated ir.
| regularly, closing higher in Central
| Western and Pacific Coast markets, but
lower at Buffalo, Philadelphia and Bos'
ton, suggesting heavier wheat feed pro-
duction as the -four outlet improved un'
der better export demand Production
| continues at about the same level a.
| for the past two months, or materially
under year ago.
/