Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-08
PRODUCE MARKET
IN STEADY TREND
Dairy Products, Eggs and
Potatoes Show Gains
During Week. II

Prices of farm products as a group
showed a fairly steady trend the first
week OF September, says the United
States Department Of Agriculture, Bu-
reau of Agricultural Economics, Market
News Service. Gains in dairy products,
eggs and potatoes were offset by weak
or unsettled markets on such leading
staples as cotton, wheat and live Stock.
Most of the price changes were not
extreme. One OF the sharpest advances
was in the potato market, which
responded to conditions brought about
by lighter shipments. Onion markets
were firm. Cabbage sold little lower.
Apples and peaches continued to sell at
unusually low prices.
Potatoes Higher.
After many days Of shipments aver.
aging only about 500 carloads from all
sources, the Midwestern markets began
to advance sharply In early September
and some gains were reported in the
large Eastern cities The upturn ranged
anywhere from 6 to 40 cents per 100
pounds, averaging not far from 20
cents. Nearly all markets reported
supplies moderate and demand fairly
good. New Jersey cobblers sold about
a dozen large cities from $l.85 to $241
per 100 pounds Advances OF rs cents
or more were reported in various pro-
ducing sections of the East and Middle
West. Haulings to shipping points were
generally light. but increasing.
Onion prices were fairly we'll main
tanned around ST. per so pounds in
Eastern producing sections. The onion
market in general was fairly steady, but
demand continued slow. Trade estl-
mates indicated comparative shortage
of the larger-siZed onions in most pro-
ducing sections.
Cabbage markets report supply liberal
demand slow and prices tending down.
ward. New York domestic cabbage IN
bulk brings SIS to $19 per ton in East
ern markets.
Eastern lettuce has been selling rather
high until the past week or so when
prices declined sharply to range OF
rs cents to 81 per crate Of two dozen
heads in the principal consuming mar
kets. Increasing supplies from the Far
West weakened the market position.
Demand for apples is light in most
city markets and in the leading pro-
ducing sections. Heaviest receipts IN
carloads are from the Virginias, New
York and the Pacific Coast. Prevailing
prices in Eastern cities are around So
cents per bushel for such standard
kinds as the Oldenburg. Peach ship
ments in CARROTS have decreased, but
local supplies continue heavy and prices
very low in some markets. General
iobbing range in large cities Is from rs
cents to 81 per bushel or crate.
Butter Markets Advance.
The favorable position Of the butter
market, based on decreasing production
and storage holdings, together with
good general demand. began to take
effect in late August and the first week
Of September All markets developed
degree of firmness that was scarcely
expected by the trade Receipts were
we'll cleared out and buyers found some
difficulty In obtaining their require
mentS of best grades. Medium and
under grades advanced, but not to the
same extent as the top scores. As a
result there was more than the usual
difference between prices of the grades
Storage butter was in good demand,
and supplies from that source tended
to restrain the upward price trend, but
gains of 2 cents a pound occurred in
many Eastern markets the first week OF
September.
Egg Market Firm.
Although the egg markets since the
1st of September have been generally
easy. particularly for the better grades,
on the lower grades. This increase in
the face of a free selling market was
brought about by the demand from re-
tailerS for eggs that could be sold at
bargain prices, and the result was
close clearance of the lower grades,
while supplies Of the top qualities
showed some accumulation. The weak
feature of the position is the receipts
since the first Of the month are heavier
than expected.
Unusually heavy receipts of fresh
killed chickens from the Middle West
during the first week in September re-
suited in some irregularity in the prin-
cipal poultry markets. Both large and
small broilers were in short supply and
moved we'll at steady prices. Fryers
and larger sized chickens showed sharp
increases In receipts, and in absence Of
strong demand sold at irregular prices.
Fowls were in limited supply and held
prices we'll.
Live Stock Weak.
In general the live stock market at
Chicago had a slightly downward trend
the first week of September despite
gains on medium and heavy steers and
heavyweight hogs Changes in these
lines were slight, but lat lambs oecllneo
SO to IS cents.
Eastern wool markets were quiet but
sales tended to increase and prices were
we'll maintained.
Prices of feed grains have held fairly
steady in late August and early Sep
TENDER. The corn market, after drop
ping to unusually low levels in late
August, has recovered to about the
prices of a month ago as a result of
less favorable crop conditions reported
in Western compromising sections.
Small receipts of oats have been a
strengthening influence in the market
for that grain. and active demand from
droughty areas has held barley prices
firm. Flax has maintained a steady
tone. Wheat markets continued weak,
owing partly to low prices quoted for
Russian and other foreign wheat in
competing markets. Reduction of IL
per cent in the Winter wheat area Of
this country would result in ightest
planting of Winter wheat in many
years.