Evening star., 1937-05-15
PRODUCE RECEIPTS
INCREASE IN MAY
Prices Are About Steady,
but Tend to Lose Part
of Recent Gains.

Trading was fairly active in the
large markets the first half OF May,
reports the Bureau Of Agricultural
Economics. Carlot supplies were
rather heavy, and prices, while COM
steady, tended to lose some
OF the gains made early in the month.
Produce shipments increased nearly
l 900 cars the first week Of May and
continued active the following week,
especially for Western lettuce and new
potatoes. Movement of old crop po-
tatoes Is decreasing about as fast as
the new crop gains. Combined total
of potatoes is nearly 1000 cars per
week, close to that Of the same time
a year ago, but tending to increase
with more favorable harvesting
weather in the Gulf Coast region.
Onion carlot movement is decreas-
ing, also that OF asparagus, spinach,
sweet potatoes, apples and gre pefruit.
Main source Of supply for early vege-
tables IS shifting to the second early
States. Homegrown receipts of early
vegetables are increasing rapidly in
Northern market territory, these sup
plies taking the place of carlot Ship
ments of some kinds to great extent.
Potato Position Weak.
Prices OF potatoes were inclined
downward the second week of May,
losing some of the gains Of the pre-
vious week, caused by unfavorable
weather conditions in the Gulf Coast
region. Alabama and Louisiana are
now shipping about one-thrd of the
potato supply. Central California is
becoming active and the shipments
Of old potatoes still make up fully
one-third Of the total, mostly from
Maine and Idaho.
Southern potatoes advanced during
the first 10 days of May, but were
declining later in the month, and
heavy supplies were in prospect from
the Gulf Coast region and from CAL
ifornia.
South Carolina potatoes have been
selling in some Northern markets at
So.7B per barrel. compared with a
range of IS to s6 for Florida Spald-
ing Rose.
Supplies Of onions from the old crop
are light in central markets and prices
have been holding firmly at ST to
$l,50 per 50-pound sack for stock OF
good quality from Western New York
The trade in old onions has held out
unusually long because of the ordinary
quality Of many Southern arrivals
Southern onions also sell at about
steady prices.
Cabbage Supplies Gain.
Supplies of cabbage increased with
larger shipments from the Carolinas
and Mississippi, and Eastern markets
declined sharply. losing soc or M
per crate. Early arrivals from East
ern Shore of Virginia were selling in
Northern markets at sl25 to SITS
per ll2-bushel hamper. Cabbage
from South Carolina and Georgia
brought $3.50 to $3.50. Recent trend
Is downward in Southern producing
sections under heavy supplies at
country shipping points.
Trade in lettuce Is being supplied
mostly from California. Shipments
have been increasing, quality is ir-
regular and prices declining from the
high levels Of early May. Prices OF
North Carolina lettuce were declining
toward the middle of the month with
sales in Northern markets at 75c tc
$3.50 per hamper. Southern cucum.
bers and other hot weather vegetables
have been scarce and high In North.
ern markets. Shipments of Florida
watermelons have begun.
Carrots were IN better demand a,
Eastern shipping points and price.
held f1rm at $l.40 to $3.50 per 10(
pounds IN the Rochester, N. Y, dis.
trtct. A few sales of bulk stocl
moved around $50 per ton.
Apple Markets Steady.
The apple position shows little
change. Baldwirs of fair to gooe
grade sell at 81 to $2.25 per bushe
In the East and Middle West, ane
around $l80 at Western New Yorl
shipping points. Other varietie.
A0AAeS - AOAAA PA.So w S6.CO LII VIC 4d1 X
markets. Indications are that mos
Of the apples will be out Of Eastern
producing sections within two O,
three weeks.
Strawberry prices again are tendins
to lower levels, with heavy supple.
from the Gulf Coast region and tn.
Southeast. While many Of the re.
ceipts are showing the results of ex.
oessive rams, quality Is generally
good and demand has been active
The season has advanced northwarc
to the latitude Of Virginia and Ten.
nessee.
North Carolina Klondikes sell a
12c to 18c quart basis In Northern
markets and around 50 per 24-quar
crate in producing sections. Earl!
sales OF Eastern Shore Of Virgini,
berries were from 81 to IS per craft
in Eastern markets Some rather or
dinary lots sold, quart basis, 10c to 13c