Evening star., 1934-12-29
PRODUCE RECEIPTS
DECREASE RAPIDLY
DuIIness Follows Rush to
Meet Requirements for
Christmas.

Val 4o0 AloNCAhCie VI liiOot llllCo VI
produce was decreasing during the
second half of December after dealers
requirements for holiday trade had
been filled, according to the Depart
ment Of Agriculture. There was very
little activity at shipping points and
often sales were too few to establish
current prices. Severe Winter weather
in the North and effects of the pre-
ceding freeze in the South were show
ing in rapid carlot decreases for many
products, including potatoes and ap-
ples from the North and string beans,
peas, peppers, cabbage and citrus fruit
from the Southeast Supplies from
Texas and the Southwest were coming
in moderate quantity.
Price changes became less frequent
and sharp toward the end of the
month, apparently because of light de-
mand and slow market conditions.
Most lines af Southern produce con-
tinued to sell at high prices. Potatoes
and onion markets continued dull with
a rather weak tone. Prices of North
ern cabbage are back again TO about
the range quoted before the Southern
freeze, but Southern cabbage has re-
tained part of the advance. Markets
for sweet potatoes are dull and little
lower in some Eastern cities.
Shipments of potatoes decreased
about 10 per cent after the middle of
the month and continued at about the
same rate or less toward the end of the
month. Snow and low temperatures
in many parts of the potato belt in
terfered with marketing and with the
movement of motor trucks. Price
changes were slight but mostly in
downward direction.
Onions were nearly steady. Coun-
try shipping points in the East and
Middle West quoted S5al00 per so
pounds, with light demand. Most
Eastern cities report moderate supplies
and rather slow demand Tops OF
125 per so pounds are quoted in a few
cities, but most sales of good yellow
stock are from 1.00al10
Cabbage markets tended TO sag back
to previous low prices, losing the gains
Of 200 to 500 per ton made in mid
December Eastern markets quoted
bulk stock at 1900 to 1900 ton. Red
cabbage brought over $500 IN New
York Southern cabbage sells at a
jobbing range OF loo TO LIS per
hamper.
Demand for carrots was a little
better in Eastern producing sections
late in December. Many shipments
l,i11al tn Nonnir,o Foafnrinc hut
some improvement was reported in
demand from city markets, where
prices were about steady at so TO rs
a bushel
A rather slow carlot movement Of
apples is reported from all sections,
owing mainly TO holiday week condi-
tions. Keeping quality of New York
Greetings is reported doubtful. result
ing in some pressure to sell. A few
lots are beginning to scald in storage,
but dealers and growers have not re-
duced their prices much. recent sales
having been 120 to 125 a bushel in
the Rochester district. A few carlots
of Ben Davis brought IS TO 85 and
Ganos 85 Practically no Baldwins
are being sold as yet from country
storage because growers are holding
for prices above present markets.
Some sales Of BaldwinS reached $50
bushel in Eastern markets and this
top price was quoted for some Green
mgs and Staymans. Many sales of
standard varieties and grades ranged
lis to 135 in Eastern cities.
Sweet potatoes show rather draggy
market condition, but without much
change IN price. Best New Jersey
yellow stock brings $50 bushel in
New York. Fair to good quality
ranges rs to 35 in Eastern markets.
Stock from Virginia, Delaware and
Maryland was moderate in supply at
IS to 1.25.
Price of cranberries weakened after
the Christmas holiday. Top price in
Eastern markets was about $50 per
quarter barrel. Other lots ranged
400 to 500, and ordinary light-col-
ored stock was neglected at 800 to
400.