Evening star., 1932-12-17
PRODUCE MARKETS
IN F|RMER TREND
Increase in Potato Prices
Proves Feature OF Re-
cent Trading.

Service. The long period OF light re-
ceipts had left the large city markets
unprepared for the storms and cold
wave; Shipments were cut down to
cago market advanced 10 cents per 100
pounds and held the gain. the ship
ments began to increase again, but
potatoes continue a weak feature and
prices are extremely low. Cabbage
shows a steady price tone, with ad-
vances in some markets. Onions hold
part Of the slight rise made early in
the month.
Apples sell at irregular prices, but
the main trend of the season has been
slowly upward. Supplies Of southern
vegetables are increasing. Acreage Of
some lines shows much extension, espe-
cially in Texas. Growing conditions of
many southern truck crops are below
average. and the less hardy kinds rate
poorly because Of frost injury.
Potatoes Hold Gains.
Light shipments, averaging not more
than 300 carloads daily, lend support
to the recent fairly sharp advance in
the potato market which carried prices
upward 10al5 cents per 100 pounds in
many markets. The rise was being we'll
maintained around the middle of the
month. Haulings from farms to ship
ping points have been light because Of
low temperatures or poor condition Of
the roads. Carlot movement is only
about two-thirdS that of corresponding
days year ago.
Eastern shipments have been better
maintained than those from the West.
Higher prices in the East tend to keep
Eo cta arp chiprnptc uif hin houpJc NEnvo
ment to Pittsburgh or other points
further West has been light, and 1t Is
probable that Maine shipments into
distant areas will be much lighter than
last season. Lower freight rates on
Western potatoes to gulf ports have
lessened the opening for Eastern pota-
toes in some Southern markets Some
Maine growers are inclined to hold for
81 a barrel in bulk They are paid an
average Of about 80 cents now The
mid December market for sacked stock
at shipping points was firm at So cents
per 100 pounds Dealers in Western
New York producing sections averaged
about So cents, and Midwestern
shipping points were firm at 5Oa6O
cents. Many Eastern shipping districts
have shown a fairly steady upward
trend since digging time, the advance
amounting to about Is cents per 100
pounds in some instances. Price of
bulk stock in Maine has nearly dou-
bled since September.
Maine potatoes bring 10Oal35 per
100 pounds in Eastern city markets.
New York. New Jersey and Pennsyl-
vania round white varieties sell at 85a
los, and a similar range is reported on
Maryland and Delaware red varieties.
Chicago market Is fairly steady at
around IS cents per 100 pounds by
the carlot
Sweet potatoes are in moderate sup
ply in most city markets but reported
light at Philadelphia. Demand is slow
and markets about steady at prevailing
low levels, ranging from 25a65 cents
per bushel on general run of Virginia,
Maryland and Delaware receipts Red
yams brought 50a75 cents in New York
and 80 cents in Boston. New Jersey
sweets of the Jersey type sold at Goa
lis per bushel in Eastern cities Ten
nessee Nancy Halls ranged mostly
60a65 cents.
Cabbage Markets Unsettled.
Action of the cabbage market was
somewhat irregular after the rise of
late November and early December.
Midwestern cities, but Eastern markets
show little change Cabbage is selling
higher in Wisconsin producing sections
and in some Western cities than in
the East. The bulk Of shipments of
Northern cabbage comes from Western
New York, where the market is hold
ing only fairly well around 600 per
ton In bulk This stock sells at a near
ly unchanged general jobbing range of
l0.00a15.0) in Eastern cities. Ship:
ments of Southern cabbage from Texas.
Florida and South Carolina are in
creasing and prices tend lower. ranging
75a1 -25 per one-half bushel hamper in
Eastern city markets.
Onion markets report supplies gen.
orally moderate ana demand slow.
There was little change in the price
situation compared with early in the
month. The leading markets report
moderate supplies and slow demand.
with jobbing sales at 40a5O per so
pounds on Eastern yellow stock. Some
of the best lots bring go cents. Red
onions sell c.Ose to the price range OF
the yellow kinds in most markets.
Demand for onions is slow at ship
ping points and prices range from 3Oa
38 per so pounds.
About half a dozen carloads of car
rots are shipped daily from the Roch-
ester district in New York. They sell
around IS cents per 100 pounds sacked.
and at 42a45 per bushel for washed
stock. The bulk OF the carrot supply
Is from the new crop in California.
The volume of celery remaining IN
cold storage in Western New York is
unusually heavy. probably 10000 crates
larger than it was a year ago. Prices
1,evo hoan 1ou in CONnqrjSNn
with the added expense of storage. Sales
are most at 75a85 per two-thirds crate.
There was sudden advance near the
middle of the month. owing to reports
of frost damage in California and some
sales were made at 100 per two-thirds
crate. CITY markets responded to some
extent and the jobbing range in the
East advanced to 1.0oa1.35.
Lettuce also showed a disposition to
advance in producing sections and In
some city markets. Tomatoes advanced
rather sharply, best Florida stock reach
ing $3.50 per six-basket carrier in New
York. Market improvement extended
to hot house tomatoes, which gained
1885 cents per eight-pound basket In
New York on receipts from Ohio.
Not much change was reported IN the
trend of the apple market through the
ndll OIL b0CSIlOSI n 1CW sdiACeiCo
seemed to have a scarcity value and
tended higher On the whole. prices
in Eastern apple markets for Eastern
fruit average fairly close to the levels
of a year ago, although quotations on
varieties differ according to the supply
or seasons quality. Some Eastern and
Southern apples sell considerably high
er In producing sections than is quoted
for best boxed apples in the Northwest.
Lack of recent export demand has hurt
the Northwestern market and prevail
ing prices at shipping points leave little
for the grower after harvest and pack
ing house expenses. Eastern dealers
also, who are usually active in the ex-
port trade, report practically no cur
rent business from this source. For
domestic markets, a few sales of NC
Intosh were made in the Rochester
district at $110 per bushel and Bald
minis at $l.10-$120 for storage stock
Greetings from cold storage sold at