The Wilmington morning star., 1944-10-29
TOBACCO PRICES
REACH TOP LEVEL
(By The Associated Press)

Average prices for tobacco sold
on North Carolina and Virginia
flue-cured tobacco markets reach
ed their highest peaks Of the
1914 season last week, the War
Food Administration reported.
The upward trend in prices result
ed primarily from relief from con-
gested conditions in factories and
warehouses and a stronger de-
mand for all types, VIA said.
All markets operated on four
day a week sales basis and will
follow the same schedule this
week, opening on Tuesday and
closing Friday.
A review Of the markets by
belts:
Eastern: The demand was
stronger than at any time during
the eight weeks of selling since
the markets opened. Practically
all leaf grades advanced 81 to 81,
cutters were up 2, and Tugs and
smoking leaf grades were firm to
81 higher. Particularly noticeable
were gains shown in good choice
grades, WA said. These qualities
previously had remained steady
at averages chiefly from $45 to SAT.
but last week many averaged SAT
and some $40 and $40 per hun
dred. .s
The quality was the best Of the
season, with a substantial increase
in the percentage of fair to fine
tobacco noticeable in offerings.
Volume was again heavy, with
the markets selling 1888, 1877
pounds during the four days at
an average of $44.14, or IS cents
per hundred over the previous
week and Ga cents over the OPA
ceiling of s43.50 seasons gross
sales through Friday totaled 27o,-
966, 691 pounds at an average OF
$42.25.
Middle: Higher prices prevailed
for practically all grades, with ad-
vances up to $3.50 for few
grades over the previous week
level. Most grades showed gains
of between 81 and 81 per hun
dred, VIA said. Many of the quail
ity grades sold at the highest
levels of the season, with number
of baskets selling for SAT to $48.
Better quality tobacco continued
to make up an Increasingly large
proportion of the offerings. About
Is per cent of sales consisted OF
cutters.
Sales for the week on markets
in both states averaged $43.77, an
increase of $2.18 over the previous
week. The volume for the belt
was heavy, with 1882, 432 pounds
being sold during the four days.
Gross season sales were set at
81, 1905 pounds at an average
of SAL. 80. North Carolina markets
sold the bulk Of the weeks total,
marketing 13,6o1, 920 pounds at an
average of $43.81.
Old: Prices gained their highest
levels of the season as the result
! of improvement in quality OF Of
ferings and spirited bidding from
buyers. The general average for
the belt during the week was $4l.9
an increase of $197 per hundred
over. the previous week.
VIA said most grades showed
gains over the previous week rang
ing from 81 to $3.50, with lower
quality grades showing the great
est increases. Cutters and Tugs ad-
vanced 81. Good quality grades and
cutters increased in quantity in
the offerings, with the bulk OF sales
being made up of common to good
Heat. low to good cutters. and fair
to good Tugs.
Sales were heavy on markets
and the belt sold 20,919 ,283 pounds
in the four-day period at an aver,
age Of $41.s6 per hundred. The
season gross amounted to $685.
272 pounds at $40.26. OF the total
Virginia markets sold 1O,344, 034
pounds at $42.43, and North Caro-
lima 10,575, 249 pounds at $41.51.
OFFICER HELD