Milford chronicle., 1931-04-03
WEEKLY PRODUCE
MARKET NOTES
Potato Market Slow S
Down; Onion Prices
Rise; Apples Sell Better

TO country dealers in the nearby
markets increased rapidly with the
onening of the roads The sharp rise
in prices during the last half oil
March also brought Il rush of ship
ments: Most of the large markets
reported liberal supplies OF vege-
tables from storage, and there were
heavy receipts of southern berries,
grapefruit and oranges; also the
usual spring activity in misceilane-
Gus truck products from the South
and Southwest. Prices Of potatoes
and onions fell back a little from
the highest points reached but, in
general, the market level of north
ern and southern produce was quite
well 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 comparative
ly quiet, while prices in the Middle
West were advancing 25 to so cents
per 100 pounds. Potatoes in eastern
markets gained about 10 to Is cents
but held the advance. while prices
were sagging back again in the Mid
die 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
eo,,,o .,5vanca anpaarad iustifiad nv .
the rather light total holdings Of po-
tatOes. In western New York pro-
ducing sections there was a feeling
of uncertainty among the dealers
because prices seemed to have ad-
Vanced further than in the city mar |
kets. Dealers noted heavy carlot
movement from Maine late in March
and were expecting that the reduc- i
tiOn in Maine holdings would bring |
a better demand in April for New
York State potatoes. Shipments |
from New York to date have eX-
ceeded those of last season by about
500 cars. Dealers are paying grow
ers in the Rochester district 20 To |
rs cents per bushel, but some grow
ers are reported holding for higher
prices.
In northern Maine the dealers
were expressing some confidence in
the situation and believed the gem
eral market position would hold de-
spite temporary heavy receipts in
city markets. The market for seed
potatoes was rather draggy but Sc
lected Cobblers were in great de-
mand and prices advanced 25 to so
cents for 11-peck sack.
Not many eastern markets showed
gains of more than 10 cents per
100 pounds on Maine Green Noun
tains and general range near the
end of March was $l.75 to $2.l0, al
though Washington and a few wes-
tern 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 $175 to 50. The Chicago
market lost more than half of the
sharp advance made since the mid
lie of the month.
Sweet potatoes were in moderate
supply and rather slow demand near
he end of March in the majority of
eastern cities. Prices shared some
What in the recent upward tendency
IN white potatoes. Delaware and
Maryland stock, hOuse-stOred, sold
IS high as 81 to $3.50 bushel in
some markets, and choice New Jer- {
;ey sweets reached top of So in New !
York. North Carolina Porto Ricans ,
'anged $1.15 to $1.50 in eastern cit /
es. Tennessee and North Carolina !
Nancy Halls sold at $l50 to $185.
Onion Prices Rise !
The sharp and well sustained rise +
n the onion market delighted hold 4
RS of. the fairly large stocks re- {
naming in some producing sections, n
lear the first of April. The advance Y
vas helped by the upward tendency O
If other lines in the vegetable mar +
ret. 1t appears that holdings in S
forage are not so large as expected "
because of shrinkage and poor keep
ng, and the Texas crop has not yet v
.Ome into competition because of /
Ielay in maturing. Eastern markets il
continued moderately firm in pro-
Incing sections. Demand was re-
DOrted good in western New York
md prices have advanced about 10
ents per 100 pounds since the mid
lie of the month, with most sales
round 81. There is confident
ceiling among the dealers in that
ectiOn and many of them are hold
ng for higher prices. Stocks in New
yOrk State are believed to be about
90 cars less than at this time last
ear, which would mean about 275
ars available. Shippers estimated
hat Michigan had between 400 and
rs cars in storage late in March.
luality in New York is running
airly good as most of the poor
took has already gone to market.
The remaining holdings are in
God stOrages and keeping we'll. The
section is about cleaned
p and most of the onions left are in
Wayne and Genesee Counties. The
easOn for northern onions is fast
rawing to close and another week
+ two seems to be about the limit
f activity in most producing sec
ions. Sales of New York yellow
pions brought Il wide range in cas-
ern markets at $1.10 to $L40 per
90 pounds. Some of this stock was
f only fair market quality. Most
elbow onions brought Sips. A little
f the mid-western stock was good
nough to exceed these prices.
Higher prices for cabbage brought