Milford chronicle., 1931-04-17
WEEKLY PRODUCE
MARKET NOTES

1IlCSS VI NOIJu6Iu N6SSIdDieS SHOW
some recoveries from the moderate
declines made earlier in the month
and the general market level is still
far above the lowest of early spring.
Shipments have been declining dur
ing the first ten days ofApril and
Southern crops have been delayed.
Potatoes are selling at price range
about midway between the lowest
and the highest of the month before.
Onions have lost but little of the
seasons sharp advance. Sweet pO-
tatoes are in rather light supply
now and hold market values firmly.
Growers May OVerplant
The recent upward turn of the
fruit and vegetable market near
eI1fsEOrable to growers from the
longtime point of view if it should
tend TO prevent needed reduction in
acreage CarlOt receipts some weeks
have been 20 per cent greater than
a year ago. Total seasons ship
ments have been 10 to ~ per cent
greater this season. If growers car
ry out their recent ideas of liberal
planting the large supplies and low
prices are likely to continue, since
there is no special prospect now of
very much gain in buying power of
consumers. Even for some pro-
ducts which show prospect of reduc-
ed acreage the planting still would
be larger than for any season be-
fore 1890. Planting prospects sug-
gest liberal supplies, the coming
season, of potatoes, sweet potatoes,
cabbage, onions and, in fact, nearly
the whole list. The spring upturn in
price brought about partly by wea-
ther conditions will tend TO increase
danger of OVerplanting. There are
possibilities, of course, that the far
meFs will revise their plane down
ward, and that business conditions
will gain rapidly, and that poor
growing conditions in some sections
will tend to make the lOng-range
market prospect less dubious for
producers.
Potato Shipments Increase
The stimulating effect of the high !
er price level began to wear off by
the end of the first week of April !
and potato shipments from most |
sections were decreasing. The result |
was a well-sustained level of prices, |
with some sharp recOveries, al |
though the market is still little be-
low the top levels Of last month.
Nearly all markets report moderate
receipts and fairly good demand for |
old potatoes. Arrivals of new pOta-
toes are increasing from Florida but
shipments have not yet reached !
heavy volume.
The leading line of Northern po-
tatoes, Maine Green Mountain, ad-
vanced to IS cents per 100 pounds
in Eastern markets the second week
of April, with a jObbing range of 81
to $2,25, although top of $3.50 was
in Washington, Cleveland
and atlanta. t. A communicating
was reported prevailing among
growers i'm northern. Maine. Ship
perS were unwilling to meet the
asking price of $3.50 per barrel for
bulk stock but some sales were
made at that price. Condition OF
roads was improving and haulings
from rmssinoreasing. Shippers are
expecting increased activity during
the second week of April and grow
ers are talking about a price sOf. So
per barrel for what stock they have
left. Market for seed potatoes has
been draggy in northern Maine so
far this month Demand has come
mostly from New York, PennsylVa-
mia and Southern New England
points. Prices are nearly unchanged
at $275 TO So per ll-peck sack at
Maine shipping points. Certified seed
CObblers sell at $275.
New York round white potatoes
are selling at steady prices in Eas-
tern markets at $1.85 to 50 per 100
pounds. Haulings are moderate in
Western New York producing sec
lions. demand improving, and mar
ket firm, reaching recent new top
1f $1.75 per 100-pOunds for sacked
stock. Fairly steady conditions pre-
vail at Midwestern pOtato-shipping
points and in the Rocky Mountain
region and the Pacific Northwest.
Prices of Texas and Florida potatoes
ire also maintained in producing
sections.
Dealers in Western New York re-
port that holdings in growers
lands are much lighter than at this
line last year. Growers are receiv-
ng IS to 85 cents per bushel but
many are holding for ST. Some deal .
.rs ask $2.75 per $50 pounds. Move
nent Of seed potatoes continue ac-
i've from this district and that is
me reason for the heavier move
nent part of the time during the
last few weeks.
sweet Potato Markets Firm
. Prices, of sweet potatoes were
,asily maintained during the first
en- days of March, owing to decreas-
ng shipments and the firm markets
III other old-crop vegetables. Daily
shipments are seldom much in eX-
.ess of 25 cars, most of them from
Delaware, Tennessee and the Caro-
mas. Supplies are rather limited
n Eastern markets but demand is
light at this time of year. Delaware
nd Maryland sweet potatoes of the
ersey type sell in New York, Balti-
more and Pittsburgh at $1.75 to
2.25 per bushel Boston reached
op of $2.40 the second week of
tpril. New Jersey sweets sold as
i5h as SO in New York, North Car
llAa Porto Ricans brought $125 to
so in New York, Philadelphia,