Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-28
PRODUCE SHIPMENT
SHOWS SHARP GAIN.
Rise in Prices Results in In
creased Hauling to
Markets.

II
Haulings Of produce from growers to
country dealers and to the nearby mar
ketS increased rapidly with the opening
of the roads, says the United States De-
partnent Of Agriculture, Bureau of Ag-
ricultural Economicc, Market News
Service. The sharp rise inAprices dur
ing the last half Of March also brought
q rush OF shipments. Most of the large
markets reported liberal supplies Of
vegetables from storage, and there were
heavy. receipts Of Southern berries,
grapefruit and oranges; also the usual
Spring activity in miscellaneous truck
proouctS from the South and Southwest.
PrlceS OF potatoes and onions fell back
little from the highest points reached,
put, In general, the market level of
Northern and Southern produce was
quite Wen maintained.
Potato Market Slows Down.
The potato market was the center of
interest, owing to the rapid changes in
price during the last half of March
and the fairly large holdings still
IN growers possession. Eastern markets
We're comparatively quiet, while prices
in the Middle West were advancing IS
70 SO cents per 100 pounds. Potatoes
IN Eastern markets gained about 10 to
is cents. but held the advance, while
Middle West. The scanty supplies of
good stock in producing sections near
the great central markets seems to be
the main cause of the sudden furry in
prices, although some advance appeared
JuStr1ed by the rather light total hold
1ngs OF potatoes. In Western New York
producing sections there was q feeling
OF uncertainty among the dealers be-
cause prices seemed to have advanced
faster than in the city markets. Deal
erS noted heavy carlot movement from
Maine late in March and were expecting
Jnat the reduction in Maine holdings
would bring a better demand in April
Tor New York State potatoes. Ship
ments from New York to date have ex-
ceeoed those Of last season by about
ouU cars. Dealers are paying growers
IN the Rochester district 10 to rs cents
per nushel, but some growers are re-
ported holding for higher prices.
IN Northern Maine the dealers were
expressing some confidence in the situ-
alton and believed the general market
position would hold despite temporary
heaVy receipts In city markets. The
market Tor seed potatoes was rather
draggy. but selected CobbIers were in
great demand and prices advanced Is
70 so cents for a 11-peck sack.
Many Eastern markets showed gains
OF more than 10 cents psr 100 pounds
on Maine Green Mountains and the
general range near the end of March
was $l.75 to $2.10. although Washing
ton and few Western and Southern
markets reached tops above this level
Long Island potatoes showed little
change in New York at $2.15 to 1920
Western New York potatoes sold in
Eastern cities at SITS to 50. The Chi
cago market lost more than half of the
sharp advance made since the middle
Of the month.
Sweet potatoes were in moderate sup
ply and rather slow demand near the
end Of March in the ma iority of West
ern cities. Prices shared somewhat in
the recent upward tendency on white
potatoes. Delaware and Maryland
stock, house stored, sold as high as So
TO $3.50 q buShel In some markets, and
choice New Jersey sweets reached top
OF 50 in New York. North Carolina
Porto RAcans ranged $1.25 to $3.50 in
Eastern cities. Tennessee and North
Carolina Nancy Halls sold at $1.50 to
$l.85.
Onion Prices Rise.
The sharp and well sustained rise in
the onion market delighted holders Of
the fairly large stocks remaining in
Of April. The advance was helped by
the upward tendency Of other lines in
the vegetable market. It appears that
holdings in storage are not so large as
expected because Of shrinkage and poor
keeping, and the Texas crop has not yet
come into competition because of delay
in maturing. Eastern markets con-
tinued moderately firm in producing
sections, Demand was reported good in
Western New York, and prices have
advanced 10 cents per 100 pounds since
the middle Of the month, with most
sales around ST.. There is a confident
feeling among the dealers In that Sec
ton and many of them are holding for
higher prices. Stocks in New York
State are believed to be about 100 cars
less than at this time last year, which
would mean about 275 cars available.
Shippers estimated that Michigan had
between 400 and ATS cars in storage late
in March. Quality in New York is rum
ming fairly good, as most Of the poor
stock has already gene to market.
The remaining holdings are IN good
storage and keeping well. The Canas-
tota section is about cleaned uD and
most Of the onions left ere in Wayne
and Genesee counties. The season Tor
Northern onions is fast drawing to a
close and another week or two seems
to be about the limit Of activity in
most producing sections. Sales Of New
York yellow onions brought wide
range in Eastern markets at S1.1O to
$40 per 100 pounds Some of this
stock was Of only fair market quality.
Most yellow onions brought S1-25. "A
little Of the Midwestern stock was good
enough to exceed these prices.
Higher prices for cabbage brought
heavy shipments from Texas and much
of the preceding price advance was lost,
so far as concerns new cabbage; but
the limited supplies Of Northern cab
baee held recent gains quite well.
Quality OF most Of the stock was the
main drawback and demand was slow
at New York country shipping points
at around Sf4 per ton, bulk. near the
end Of March Warm weather during
srATEMENr OF THE CONDITION
OF The ,. -,