Milford chronicle., 1937-07-16
PRODUCE MARKET NOTES

Reports of produce market ac-
tivity In early July vary from slow
to fairly active. Trading was some
what better in the East than in the
Middle West, says the Bureau OF
Agricultural Economics. Differences
were commonly explained by weather
conditions, holiday influences. and
extent of local garden supplies. Wet
weather affected harvesting and mar
ket quality of tender products.
Usually the markets need about a
week after the holiday to recover
normal conditions.
Fruit and vegetable shipments de-
creased about 5 percent around the
beginning of the month, but exceeded
the same week last year by fully g.
900 carloads. The weeks let-up in
shipments of potatoes, tomatoes. and
peaches. were partly Offset by gains
of one-third for melons, one-fourth
for lettuce. and moderate increases
for apples, grapes, apricots, canta-
loupes, cucumbers and onions.
There were moderate price recov-
cries after the holiday with gains for
potatoes, onions, peaches and canta-
loupes. Heavy shipments of water
melons forced the markets to low
levels in producing sections. Let
tuce markets continued depressed
under liberal supplies of variable
quality. Most products except pota-
toes and watermelons are selling as
high or higher than during the first
part of July last year.
Potato Market Recovery
Prices of potatoes showed some
recoyeries in early July during a
drop of about one-fourth In shop
ments. The output still exceeded
5000 cars, per week, about one
fourth heavier than for the same
week a year ago. Possibly the time
of heaviest carlot shipments has
passed, but many new sections, in
cluding some early districts in the
North and West are beginning to
ship to market and local supplies are
becoming a larger feature week by
week. Potato buyers were cautious
because of expected larger receipts
from Missouri and Kansas. Heaviest
shipments at present are from Vir-
ginia. California is still shipping
quite literally and the Kaw Valley
and OrriC districts are in full swing
because growers began shipping
earlier than expected il order to
avoid crop damage in tie field by
heat.
Prices on Virginia Eastern Shore
moved up to s1.75 per barrel the
first week of July but weakened
slightly afterward. Prices per 100 |
pounds in the East and Middle West |
90c to $1.10 at leading coun-
try shipping points. Virginia Cob
blers sold at 81 to $1.35 in eastern |
city markets. Midwestern city prices
showed more strength than eastern
and reached tops of $3.50
Or more. California White Rose
sells a little higher than recent price
evels. now mostly s2.25 to $3.50.
Supplies in Virginia producing
sections were in good demand. in
,luding many orders from the Middle
West. Relief purchases prevented
he market from going below SOC.
from Maryland will be
rapidly and little stock
s being marketed from New Jersey
nd Long Island.
Onion Trade Improved
The onion situation improved with
winding of southern shipments
nd prices have been well main
aimed. Yellow stock from the South
nd East has been selling at 81 to
LBS per so pounds. showing scat
cred gains compared with prices OF
ate June.
Lettuce markets showed continued ,
Teakness under heavy receipts in :
luding much stock of ordinary J
uality. The general jobbing range :
SO to "a is not far above the level :
I a year ago and is much below re- :
snt top prices. General position 9
ppeared weak with continued heavy >
iipments and accumulated supplies .
d track. Eastern lettuce was :,
lightly weaker at 40c to 6oc per h
Istern crate. 4,