Evening star., 1936-06-20
TREND ON PRODUCE
MARTS UNSETTLED
Many Lines Off 0ne-Third
to 0ne-HaIf From
Recent Tops.

Produce markets have been unsettled
this month, changing rapidly under the
leadership Of shifting potato prices and
changes in supply and crop condi-
tions, according to the United States
Department of Agriculture.
Sharp price declines followed the
quick rise of early June, and many
lines of produce were down one-third
to one-half from the top by the mid
die of the month. The slump was
followed by moderate recoveries after
mid-June.
Better crop conditions in the South
and refusal of consumers to buy at
the high levels of early June were
given as the explanation of the sud-
den drop in prices of potatoes, cab
bage, cantaloupes, melons and other
produce. The recovery that followed
was supported by strong underlying
conditions, including generally light
production and moderate shipments.
Potatoes, lettuce, peaches and canta-
loupes were doing somewhat better the
third week of June and a consider
ably frmer market tone prevailed.
Carlot shipments of produce are in
creasing week by week, but are still
about one-seventh less than for the
corresponding time last year. Gains
the second week Of June were mainly
seasonal, including melons, canta-
loupes, plums, tomatoes, peaches, LEM
ons and sweet corn, all approaching
the time Of more active shipping move
ment
Potato Market Receivers.
Potatoes have continued a leading
market feature this month The
sharp advances early in June were
followed by equally rapid declines and
later by moderate recoveries of so to
rs cents from the low point. Some
markets still report liberal supplies.
Shipments have been increasing re-
Gently from North Carolina and CALI
fornia. Demand is fairly good.
Southern white and red varieties
are jobbing at $3.50 to 81 per 100
pounds and Sc to 81 per barrel Old
potatoes are quoted in comparatively
few markets and range from S325 to
81 per 100 pounds in Eastern cities.
Moderate shipments are in prospect
for some time because of light Yields
in most sections that will be shipping
in July and August. Rains have
helped the Southeastern crop a little,
but dry weather has been injuring the
crop farther north in New Jersey and
Eastern New York Most Of the cur
rent supply is from Virginia, North
Carolina and Central California. Ar
rivals from Arkansas, Oklahoma and
points farther south are not large
enough to upset the market much and
yields are light in most Of these States.
Onions Fairly Steady.
Prospect Of lighter receipts of onions
because Of shrinkage of about one
fourth in recent carlot shipments has
supported the onion market little.
but prices have not changed much in
city markets. Texas yellow stock is
selling rs cents to 81 per so pounds in
the Middle West and is firm at 35 TO
40 on the cash track sales in Texas
producing sections. Demand was slow
even at the low prices prevailing.
White varieties sell rather close to the
price OF yellow stock.
Southern peas show very irregular
quality and price range. but most
sales in Northern markets are between
so cents TO 81 per bushel Tomatoes
have been in heavy supply and the
market weak at levels lower than pre-
vailed year ago, but prices have been
advancing in Southern producing sec
tionS since the middle of the month
under moderate supply and good de-
mand at shipping points.
Fruit Quality Uneven.
Prices of Western cantaloups we're
irregular but generally rather firm
at S2.75 to s375 per box in most lead
ing markets. Watermelons held at
fairly steady prices in producing Sec
tions, selling there ia about 5000 per
carlot for medium sizes. These mel
onS bring s400 to $500 per car in
Northern markets and 40 cents to
so cents, unit basis. The crop has
suffered considerably from drought in
the East.
Apples from the old crop are still
on the market and shipments are
more active than usual so late in the
season. Total has exceeded that OF
last season and recent weekly aver
age of about 200 cars is almost double
the quantity moving year ago. Prices
lately have been rather firm. good
lots of Baldwins selling at 81 to $3.50
per basket or crate. few cars of
the new crop are being shipped from
Georgia, Illinois and Tennessee. but
supplies thus far have been very