Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-19
FRUIT SHIPMENTS
REPORTED SMALL
Downward Trend in Produce
Markets Continues, Says
U. S. Report.

Arrivals of fruits and vegetables In
carlots are rather light for the time
of year, says the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture. Bureau of Agricul-
tural Economics, Market News Service.
Marketward movement in recent weeks
has been about one-third less than for
the CORRESPONDING time last season. Yet
many of the markets report rather
large holdings because of liberal sup
plies from local sources and by motor
truck, while lack Of brisk demand
binders active disposal of stocks on
hand.
The long downward trend of many
commodity markets no doubt affects the
course of values on fresh produce. Po-
tatoes, with the main crop only slightly
larger than last season and shipments
some weeks only half those OF corre-
spending weeks in 1880, have been
selling at less than half the prices pre-
vailing in September last year. The
cabbage crop is estimated lighter this
season, but prices are somewhat lower.
Sweet potatoes are not much above
average production. but prices are less
than half those of a year ago In some
markets.
On the other hand, some products
make good price showing. Onions
double the prices of a year ago because
IF crop reduction. The celery crop looks
rather light in several producing sec
tionS and prices are decidedly higher
than in September last year. Pears are
selling fully as high as they sold year
ago, and the same is true of Western
grapes and muskrpelons. Most other
kinds of fresh produce are distinctly
on the bargain list showing small net
returns to growers.
Potato Markets Unsettled.
After the price declines in late Au-
gust and the first half of September,
the potato market mas been fairly steady
since the middle of the month. Further
declines in some markets were about
balanced by slight gains in others dur
ing the third week in September. Ar
rivals vary from light in Boston and
Baltimore to moderate or liberal in most
other markets. Demand is fairly good
in Philadelphia and Baltimore but slow
elsewhere. Carlot shipments from all
sources have been light, often around
500 cars daily, and weekly totals are
sometimes only half those of year ago.
The light demand reported in most
large markets may account Tor failure
of the price to respond to the report
showing production in the main crop
region only slightly larger than the light
crop of last season. Price range below
81 per 100 pounds in Chicago carlot
market contrasts with sales year ago
well above 50. Eastern markets also
quote prices averaging about half these
prevailing in late September. 1880.
Maine and New Jersey. Maine Cob
blers dropped 10 cents in Boston, but
were fairly steady elsewhere at $1.15
to 81 25 per 100 pounds. Green Noun
tains sold at 80 cents to SIPS. New
Jersey Cobblers were irregular but av-
eraged fairly steady in Eastern markets
at 90 cents to Sl.25. They exceeded
$3.50 in few southern cities. Long
Island Cobblers were steady to firm the
third week of September.
Trading was dull at eastern country
shipping points. Early prices in North
ern Maine around so cents per 100
pounds sacked were in contrast to open
ing range of 81 so to Sl.60 a year ago
and the range Is considerably lower
than further West where Wisconsin
potatoes are selling in producing sec
tons at rs cents. Much of the crop
shortage Is in the market territory of
midwestern potatoes which gives that
stock some present advantage. A light
demand prevails at New Jersey and
Long Island shipping points. with price
range 30 to So cents on Cobblers. Ship
ments are light from most far western
potato districts. The Colorado potato
crop has been severely hurt by drouth.
Sweet Potatoes Plentiful
Rather liberal supplies of sweet pota-
toes are reported in most markets and
trading is slow. Prices in some mar
kets are less than half those prevailing
a year ago, recent trend having been
slightly downward. Maryland stock
was fairly steady the third week Of
September at so to rs cents per bushel
In five leading eastern markets. East
ern Shore sweets sell at $3.50 to 50
IN most eastern markets. but reached
low levels In New York with some sales
Of inferior stock below 81 per barrel.
Onion Markets Steady.
The countrywide onion market posi-
ton is strengthened by the reported
light production and the relative short
age Of large size onions. Shipments
so far have been much lighter than
last season, although carlot movement
was increasing in mid-September. The
late crop is forecasted 40 per cent be-
low the large production of last year.
Many sections report high percentage OF
onions of only medium and small size.
Carlot receipts are moderate at eastern
markets but demand is slow. Prices
have been slightly irregular since the
middle of the month but average fairly
steady at IS cents to S1.15 per SO
pounds. Shipping points IN the Con-
necticut Valley and in Western New
York quote sacked stock at 80 cents
TO S1.05, with slow, fairly steady mar
kets The crop in New York, accord
ing to recent estimate, is 100000
bushels under that of last year, and
the total late crop 100000 bushels
less.
Cabbage Trade Slow.
Demand for cabbage continues slow
In eastern producing sections. The hot
weather Of mid-September was hin
drance to orderly marketing of the crop
in Western New York, now the heaviest
shipping district. Bulk domestic cab
bage IS selling at SO to 50 per ton ct
country shipping points, which is some
what lower than the prevailing level
a year ago but cash price paid grow
ers is only SIS to SO. The total carlot
shipments from that section are few
hundred cars larger than at the same
date last season. A few shipments pf
the late bookkeeping varieties have oc-
CURED, but not much activity In that
line Is expected until the colder weather
of early Winter. Prices in the large
eastern markets are irregular but fairly
steady at SIS TO s18 Baltimore ad-
vanced to $40. Some midwestern mar
kets declined
The bulk of celery shipments are still
from New York, with few cars daily
from the West. Receipts are moderate
in most of the principal consuming mar
kets and demand slow The crop in
most sections was considerably injured
by weather conditions, insects or dis
ease, reducing the quantity OF good stock
available. Prices In Western New York
have been comparatively high at So to
$3.50 per two-thirds crate on the early