Milford chronicle., 1931-12-25
Produce Market Notes

Prices of fruits and vegetables
around the middle of December have
shown little tendency to advance
from generally lower levels prevail
ing this month. The onion market
shows almost the only example of a
firm position and a tendency to oc-
casional further price advances. Still,
despite the low price levels of pO-
tatoes, sweat potatoes, and apples,
there are important lines selling as
high or higher than they sold last
season; these include onions, pota-
toes, cabbage, ceyery, lettuce, and
carrots. Potato shipments continue
rather light, but the supply seems
to have no present effect on prices.
Cabbage sells at a level slightly be-
low the top of the advance made in
November and early December. APP
pies of sound quality move at gen.
orally unchanged prices. The main
exceptions are the lower returns for
common storage fruit that was not
keeping well. Prices of fresh vege-
tables tend downward at the time of
from the south.
Shipments of produce have cOntin-
ued for many weeks at the low level
of about 5000 cars per day. Apples
and most of the vegetables have been
moving this season in smaller vol
ume than for the season before, re-
sulting in a falling off of about one
seventh in the seasons carlot output.
Some kinds of southern produce are
beginning to increase in volume, and
shipments of oranges were fairly
heavy for the holiday market trade.
The December crop reports make
little change in the situation as COM
pared with month ago. Yield per
acre of potatoes shows increase over
the November estimate, owing to the
long growing season this year.
Acreage of the principal market
truck crops was increased only 10
this season in contrast with heavy
increases in most previous seasons, |
and canning crops were reduced |
SO, compared with the 1880 acre
age.
Onion Market Firm
The trend of the onion market has /
continued upward and prices have |
been well maintained since the mid
die of the month. Shippers in east
ern producing sections get as high |
as 50 per 50-pound sack on best lots.
Market shipments are light and many
of the onions being shipped have
been those taken from common stor-
age and also because of purchases
by city dealers in expectation of
higher prices. City markets have
been holding generally firm at
range of $3.50 to So and so pounds
FOR good stock. There were ad-
7ances of five to fifteen cents in sew
eral of the leading markets. Sup
plies were reported moderate, al
.hough holdings on track were con-
siderably larger near the middle of
December as compared with early
Il the month Demand varied from
low to fairly active. Not many i'm
ported onions were offered. Condi-
ions in producing sections varied
rom steady to firm. Far western
growers were reported holding for !
higher prices. Growers and dealers
iso are disposed to await higher 1
,rices in western New York. Some c
ales for future delivery ware as I
Ugh as $415 per 100 pounds for z
arge sized stock. Most of the pres
MT shipments out of that section are
rom common storage. Conditions e
re uncertain in Texas onion pro- a
ucing sections, owing to weather L
onditions. The crop was delayed fl
omewhat as a result of dry weather e
On may be later than usual in n
pring, thus providing long time a
,r disposal of the northern crop. Il
OtatO Markets Weak is
Shipments of potatoes continue in f;
cry moderate totals-between 400 Il
nd 600 cars daily-and track hold 81
lgs show a decreasing tendency Ii
with early in the month. 81
he price level has failed to main Il
in the improvement recorded ear II
in DeDcember. In fact, some mar
cts have sunk to lower levels be- il
luse of the draggy trading eondi ii
Ons prevailing. Moderate supplies ST
Id slow demand are the rule in Il
Lstern markets. W
Maine Green Mountains were ia
eady in the east and firm in Balti- OIL
ore, Washington, and southern W
arkets. The larger markets quoted et
ON 9Oc to $1.10 per 100 pounds. 81
ew York potatoes sagged little in th
altimore and Pittsburgh. Pennsyl- ell
mia stock was steady at so to IS m
nts. The Chicago market declin- al
5 to 10 cents near the middle of ds
e month on Wisconsin round white all
lrieties, but that market was firm fr