Milford chronicle., 1931-09-25
WEEKLY PRODUCE
MARKET NOTES

= W
in recent weeks has been about one
third less than for the correspond
ing time last season. Yet many OF
the markets report rather large
holdings because of liberal supplies
from local sources and by motor
truck, while lack of brisk demand
hinders active disposal of stocks ON
hand.
The long downward trend of many
commodity markets no doubt affects
the course of values on fresh pro-
duce. Potatoes. with the main crop
only slightly larger than last sea-
son and shipments some weeks only
half those of corresponding weeks
in 1880, have been selling at less
than half the prices prevailing 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 a good price showing. Onions
in some eastern markets are nearly
double the prices of year ago be-
cause of crop reduction. The celery
crop looks rather light in several
producing sections and prices are
decidedly higher than in September |
last year. Pears are selling fully |
as high as they sold a year ago, and |
the same is true of western grapes |
and muskmelons. 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
August and the first half of Septem-
ber, the potato market has been
fairly steady since the middle of the
month. Further declines in some
markets were about balanced by
slight gains in others during the
third week in September. Arrivals
vary from light in Boston and Balti-
more to moderate or liberal in most |
other markets. Demand is fairly ,
good in Philadelphia and Baltimore 1
but slow elsewhere. CarlOts ship
ments from all sources have been !
light, often around 500 cars daily,
and weekly totals are sometimes
only slightly larger than the light
crop of last season. Price range be-
low 81 per 100 pounds in Chicago :
carlot market contrasts with sales l
a year ago well above 50. Eastern $
markets also quote prices averaging y
about half those prevailing in late "
September, 1880. Heaviest eastern n
shipments are from Maine and New n
Jersey. Maine Cobblers dropped 10 L
cents in Boston but were fairly
steady elsewhere at $115 to SLIPS
Ter 100 pounds. Green Mountains
iOld at so cents to $1.25. New Jer-
icy CObblers were irregular but -,
Lveraged fairly steady in eastern 81
naekrts at 80 cents to $1.25. They ~
Exceeded $1.5O in a few southern q.
titles. Long Island Cobblers were =, u
teady to firm the third week of u
september.
Trading was dull at eastern coun- VI VI
ry shipping points. EARLY prices in "
Maine around so cents pei
90 pounds sacked were in contrast vi
D opening range of $1.5O to $1.60 L.
ear ago and the range is consider
bly, lower than further west where so
Wisconsin potatoes are selling in 10
reducing sections at IS cents. Much
the crop shortage is in the mar OF
ct territory of midwestern potatoes Dt
hich gives that stock some present
lvantage. A light demand prevails OF
New Jersey and Long Island ship c..
ing points, with price range so to
cents on Cobblers. Shipments Hi
e light from most far western po- Hi
to districts. The Colorado potato pa
'op has been severely hurt by
'Outh. no
Neet Potatoes Plentiful jai
Rather liberal supplies of sweet Br
Dtatoes are reported in most mar wo
IT'S an dtrading is slow. Prices in
me markets are less than half | sec
ose prevailing year ago, recent TIL
end having been slightly down Iro
lrd. Maryland stock was fairly we
sady the third week of September tha
so to IS cents per bushel in five of
lding eastern markets. Eastern Sus
ore sweets sell at $1.50 to 50 in wei
'st eastern markets, but reached Gee
v levels in New York with some kne
es of inferior stock below 81 pei e
rrel. is I
ion Market Steady fn1
ne ne couhtly-Wlue ONION market last
SitiOn is strengthened by the re- Am
tied light production and the rel nri2
We shortaSe OF large size onions fort
pments so far have been much sidc
lter than last season, although tion
lot movement was increasing in sl,n,
l-September. The late crop is orao
ecasted 40 per cent below the Mo-,
ge production of last year. Many voc
tions report high percentage of I nr;a
Ons of only medium and small ioaa
!. Carlot receipts are moderate 80 80
eastern markets but demand is ''St. e.
v. Prices have been slightly ir- soy, W
llar since the middle of the 10y
18th but average fairly steady at Iico' lr:s
cent sto $1.15 per so pounds Inns 1u.
Dping points in the Connecticut outLl
ley and in western New York "hIc
te sacked stock at 80 cents to anu
3, with slow, fairly steady mar on I
!. The crop in New York, ac- ana
ling to recent estimate, is one Mr
ion bushels under that of last near
=, and the total late crop eight phla
ion bushels less. cal
Iage Trade Slow Ed
emand for cabbage continues dent
in eastern producing sections. attac
hot weather of mid-Septembe1 IN mi
a hindrance to orderly market condi
of the crop i'll western New Las