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UHITED STATES DEPARTMElifT OF AGRICULTURE Bureau of Agricultural Economics

Washington

May 22, 1937

T H E F R U I T A N D V E G E T A B L E S I T U A T I 0 N

Summary

Largely because of delayed 1narketings, prices of many of the

fruits and vegetables during the past month failed to follow the usual

seasonal trends, according to the Buraau of Agricultural Economics. In

general, prices of both fruits and vegetables are relatively high for this

time of the year.

Sharp seasonal declines occurred in strawberry prices during the

past month, and prices in mid-May were about the snme as a year earlier.

It seems likely that prices of strawberries from the second early nnd

intermediate States will average about as high as those of last ;>rear.

Prices of California Navel oranges increased more than usual, but

Florida orange prices declined somewhat during the past month. The

California Valencia orange season was begun in April with relatively high

prices. ~ith the small crop, prices of this variety are likely to increo.se

more than usual during the summer and early fall. Grapefruit prices

increased seasonally during the past month, and are likely to continue to

advance during the remainder of the season.

Peach prospects for the 1937 season are variable, ranging from a

light prospective production in the 10 Southern States to good prospects

in some of the Eastern States and in California. In general, prospects

for the 1937 crops of other deciduous fruits are good. Little, if any,

freeze dnmnge to trees occurred during the past winter.

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The supply of new potatoes available for market during the next

several months is indice..ted to be close to 50 percent larger than that

available last year and nearly two-thirds more than the average supply.

Marketings of the new crop have increased sharply in recent weeks o.nd

probr-"bly will continue heavy during the next several weeks. Because of

these larger marketings, prices have declined. during the past month,

particulo.rly in western markets. The usual seasonal trend of prices is

downward from April until late sumner.

Present indications are that the totn.l acreage plD.!lted to commercio.l

truck crops for market for the 1937 season will show o.n increase over the

1936 ~creo.ge. The rate of increase, however, is likely to be less than

the c.ver~ge of recent years. Price increr~ses more than offset declines

during the month ended May 15. Cool nnd wet weather retarded growth of

veget~ble crops this spring u.nd seasonal declineR in many inst~ces were

checked or delayed. As the senson progresses .::md with more favor::tble

grovving conditions, increased supplies and seasonal declines of most i:nportnr

spring o.nd early sumner crops may be expected.

E~rly reports from canners and manufacturers of eight important

vegetables indicate that the totnl combined ~creo.ge contracted or to be

contro.cted for in 1937 is about 2 percent lo.rger than that plcmted to

these veget~bles in 1936 nnd the lo.rgest on record. Tomatoes for mc.nufo.cture

is the only crop for which a slight decre~se in intended acreage is

indico.ted. With aver:,ge growing conditions, most of the expanded o.creo.ges

would procluce larger crops than were actually harvested in 1936.

STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries from Louisim1n, the major early-producing State, begn.n to move in volume the latter part of April, causing sh~rp seo.son"..l price d.eclines. The seo,son has been late throughout the e.""trly St<'..tes this year,

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except ]'lorida, ~:md present indieati·~ns c..re that shipments from the intermediate Stntes also will be a little lnter thnn usuc.l.

As.a result of the rather irregular seo,son, it seems likely thc..t there will be more overlapping: of mo..:rketings from the various Skctes during lo..te May .o.nd early Ju..'1.e this yen.r than usunlly occurs. Shipments from Louisin.na n.re not expected to de.91ine much b,efore the last week of Mn.y o..nd shipments from North Oarolina; Tenne.ss.e~ n.nd Arkansas probc,b1y will still.be'inoViJl,g in VOl;ume Wh~n .sJlipmerits :begin from the intermedL.•.te 'Stntes. ;

Intermedinte crop reln.tively small

Larger crops than lust year are forecast for several of the importnnt intermedin.te States, but these increases are offset almost entirely by very small crops in Missouri and Illinois. The toto,l intermediute crop is estimated to be about 2 million crntes, about the some as the crop of last year and considerably below avero.ge.

The price strengthening influence of a totn.l crop in the second early and intermediate Stntes about the same as the small crop of last yer:.r, and of mo..terial improvement in consumer purchasing power, may be offset by a tendency for shipments from different o..reas to overL1p during parts of the season. It seems likely that prices of strawberries from these two groups of States, however, wi11 average as high as thoEe of l!'..st yer.,_r.

Strn.wberries: Acreage and production, average 193l-3fi, annual 1936 n.nd 1937

Acreo.ge Production :1937 ~s :5-yenr : 5-yenr :Fore- :percent

Group Dnd Sto.te : n.ver:cge 1936 1937 : averc.ge : 1936 :cast of :1931-35 :1931-35 :1937 : a\rerr,.ge

1,000 1, OC·C 1,000 Acres Acres Acres crates crates crates Percei1t

E::trly, excl.Fla. 1/ 27' 806 20,400 23,150 1,838 1,605 1,843 100.3

Second en.rly ~/ . 54,118 45,960 41,190 3,191 2,205 2,528 79.2 . . . . Intermedi::cte:

Calif., other ••. : 3,048 3j260 3,000· 435 447 450 103.4 Del ••........... : 4,240 5,200 5,200 246 182 286 116.3 111 ••.••........ : 5,100 5,600 5,200 284 252 156 54.9 Kc .. ns ••••.......• : 1,220 800 880 59 40 26 44.1 Ky •••.•......... : 7,240 8,200 6,700 429 189 268 62.5 Md. ••··· ........ : 6,700 7,500 7,500 493 338 450 91.3 Mo. •··•······ ... : 9,340 8,600 4,500 362 301 90 24.9 N.J •........... : 3,760 3,400 3,700 337 278 32.5 Okln. ••••.•...•.• : 1.480 600 200 49 f 12.2

Group to tal ••• : 42 j_? 3 _ 43 , 16 0 3 § •c.::8:..::8:.::0:..... __ __:.:2:..:''-'6'-'9=-c4::c_-=-c>-..::...::--7-----'"-'--0'-'l=-0;;__' __ 7_4_::.•=-6=---L<:'..te • 4·" .-,r,£1 r:' 1r.0 3Ti~"' sr.o 3 041 J) Ba~i; .. i~~i~d~~. Aio.b£>J~~~·~LoJ ~i~~n.:~~ss~·ssippi t::nd Texr.ts. '8./ Second en.rly includes Arkansn.s, California-Southern District,

North Cnrolino., South Carolin:.:t, Tennessee, ::md Virginin.. :if Preliminf'.ry. ·

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StrawbArries: Weekly average price per quart by varieties; New York and Chicago; specified weeks

Marke.t w~ek ended and : May ·16; :April 17, :April ::24,: May 1, May 8,

variety .1936. :~ 1937 1937 1937 1937 Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents --- --

New York City La.-Klondikes ..... 38 27 22 25 N.C.-IQondikes .... 13 14 16

Chicago La.-Klondikes . 17 32 24 18 20 . . . . .

-------CITRUS FRUITS

May 15, 1937 Cents

17 14

16

ORANGES: C~J..!E_rnia Navel prices very high.- Prices of all oranges continued relatively high during the past month, but prices of the several varieties behaved rather differently. California Navel-prices made more than the usual seasonal rise. Prices of the first California Valencias in late April were near Navel prices, but prices of later supplies declined. Prices of Florida. oranges have declined rather steadily si.nce early April instead ~f making the usual seasonal rise.

The varied behavior of orange prices is due to the irregular supply situation. The 1936-37 California crop was reduced to below average size by freeze damage, whereas the Florida crop is considerably above average. Total shipments of all oranges for the season to date have been about average, and during recent wee}:s have been only slightly less than average. Ship­ments from the various producing ~egions have not been average, however, Shipments of California Navels have been relativ0ly small since January, and during recent weeks have. dropped off tremendously. On the other hond, shipments of Florida oranges have been Tery hee.vy and during recent weeks have maintained about. the sn:m.e volume as earlier in the season. Shipments of California Vnlen.cias thus far in the season have been about as heavy as average in spite of the small crop.

There appG.ars to be sufficient differences in quality to prevent complete substHution of varieties, and the prices of the several vo.rj.et ies to some extent fluctuate independently of one another. AccCJ rdingly, al­though total orange supplies in recent weeks have been only slightly less than average, shart ru pplics of California Navels caused a greater-than­usual seasonal rise in prices of this variety; heavy shipments of Florida oranges caused a weakening of prices in place of the usu.Dl seasonal rise.

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Shipments from Florida are o~ec~ed to ~rQpoff rather sharply in the next fe'.v weeks, and it is likely that prices of Florida ')ranges will reverse the present downward trend and sho~.v some rise bef0re tho end of the seas0n. Tho rate of shipment of California Valenc:i.D.s is not expected to continue to be as great as average, and it is probable that the season~l rise in prices 0fthis variety during the summer cmd early fall will 'be somewhat greater them \J.suaf. The California Navel season is practically over, and the:; closing prices are the highest since t~1e 1929-30 season.

GRAPEFRUIT: Prices continur:; upwo.rd trend.- Prices of gra:nefruit fl1J.8tunted considerabl3r during the past six: weGl::s, but the general move­ment ·.vas u-p'o"mrd. Heavier thn.n fl.Verago shipments of grapefrui'c frnm Florido. during rer>.ent I'VGGks have been partially offset by relatively small shi:o­rnents fr0rn California c.nd Arizona, but total market supp~ies have been well above avero,ge. Altho,J.gh the seD .. sono,l rise in .~;rapef'ruit prie3S from the low levels of early February has been .::;reater than usual, a further seasonn.l rise_is likely to occur befor0 the end nf the season.

Citrus Fr;J_tts: '.!ei~htod nverago :?ric.:,s per 'box at NeC17 York and Chicago, specifLd periods

Avert:V'~e week Ggded ~ ---

: Ayerr:..~G

Mn.rket o,nd crop r.1D.."T 16, :Apr'i1 17': ·~:·Jln.~r 15,: April : April 193~ 1937 1S37 1o:;() : 10'17 ) __ .._ __ ._ ----------t-~-~-

Dollo.rs Doll QJ' _.2_ Dollars Doll_I'.r9_ Dol~.<::.rs

New York City Orange s-C:-.1 if. Navels .... 3-31 4.n6 lt. 59 3.03 4.15

Ce .. lif. Vo.le!l.cio.s. : Lf,02 Fla. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57 3.71 3-49 2.91 3· 74

Gmpefruit- Fln .. ......... 2.~2 2.71 2. 74 2. 76 2.61

Lemons- Calif. . . . . . ~ . . . . . 7. {)3 4.99 6.01 4. 65 5.05

Chicago )ranges- Calif. No.vGls ... 3·55 4.19 4.70 3.14 4.25

Calif. Vr.lencias: 4.3e ---Fla. . 3.33 3.34 3-73 3.16 4. :lh . . . . . . . . . . . .

11-ro..pefrui t- Fla. I o o o o o I •• 2. 75 2.50 2.90 2. 613 2.S3

Lomons- C2.lif . . . . . . . . . . . . :;. 92 5. 11-5 5- 6n 4.66 5.46

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PROSP: :CTS FCR OTHER FRUITS

APPLI~S: In scmeral, ther.; has been no unu.suo,l damnge to apple trses or b-,J.ds from ·crinter temperatures or spring frosts. Bud development has been dela~ru(l 1y- cool spring ~Jeathol;', but prospocts for tho 1937 crop appear good in IJrn8tico.lly o,ll important apple producing areas.

PEACHES: Production of poach0s in 10 Southern States is forec2.st at about 10 million bushels, which is 2'( percent" iess than tho crop of lnst year and. 32 pcrcen t below the 1928-32 ;we, rage. It now appears that the low tern:Der<:'.­tLITe s 0f Fe br-:J.ary ~md March ca-J_sed more damE'..ge thEm was evident a month ago. In Calif0rnia the Mr:.7 l condi.tion of all poaches wns considerably better than the condition on May l, 1936, or the 1923-32 average May l condition.

PEARS: In gonernl, ('ondi tions during April "lere favorable for pears, and bufls d.eveloperl "i>Titn relatively little frost dama,ge. In the South Central States, as a re:::m.lt of spring freezes, the crop is irregu.lar and. production may be telo·•v average, but in most sections present pr0spects are favorable. In California, prospects are above average, and. Bartlett pears appear to have a heavier s8t t~1.an the late shipping varieties.

GRA;PES: Condition ef the crop in California on :May 1 -~vas above the 5-year average r1n <rin,e, raisin, and table grapes.. .Present indications are for a good gTape 8rop in all producing areas.

CHERRIES: In most of the important cherry nroducing States the season is from tcr0 to three weeks later than usual. There- was little or no freeze damage durine; the past wintRr, and in most .sections treE's are in good condi­tion and prospe('.ts a.re genP:ra.lly fav0rable.

POTATOBS

Prices 0f n87'r potatoes declined s~larply "Lmcl_er the Jlressure of heavy !Tl8.rketings frcm FlorirJa and. from the lnver -Rio Grande Vf1lley of Texas during the ser.cnd and. third weeks of April. ThFJy regained most of the loss during the surc;oeding t?To -,eeks, when a clecrAaso in the rate of marketings occurred. Prices in the western markr:;ts have. since declined to the lY."Jest. level reached tilis season t0 rlate ,m~l_er the pressure of a serwonc:.l inc:.:·ease in shipments occasioned. b~r the openin:~ of the marketing season in Alal:>ama, Louisiana and California. The usual treml of prices 0f ne·:v potatoes is dowmrard from the le.ttPr part of April until late summer.

Priees of olcl st0 dr follo-:1ed. much the same trend. as that of now potatoes in western mar-kets, but cledined thrr:mf,"hout th; last month in the East. Prices of m.0st varieties in mid-May ,.,rere gene1~ally lower than a month earlier. Pric;es of Icta,ho Ru.ssst J3urbanks have been fitirly ·statle d.·lll'ing the last month.

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An increased acreage was planted to potatoes in nearly all of tho comr.wrcio.l early Stat'os. this season, which, togl)ther with yields above last year n.nd above the o.V.er0-ge, i_pd_icates a. total supply' of new potatoes no:,n·r· thret:-fifths l'lrger "than the 1936 crop a.nd four-fifths 1.'l.rger than the o.vuro.g0 crop for th_ose St~tes. · .. i.lthougj1 incroa.sos in production this season over la.st year .a.re ra.ther goncrn.l' ~he sharpest incr~~sd occurred in tho ra.pidly cxp.-...nding sections of Cn.lifo·rni:J., where production is indico. ted· to be 10,350,000 bushels, against 5,695,000,_in 1936 a.nd' 2,226.,000 bu:s{,wls, thu 1920-32 average. The large production is duo both to· a shnrp expb.nsion in tp(;l ·acreage pl::1.ntod :1.nd to a. gron.t increase in the yield per o.cre •. Whereas tho· ::tcrea.ge pl:::1.ntod to early pota.toos in Ca.lifornia during the p'eriod 1928:...32 avcr:-...god 11~;400 acres, n. total of 30,000 a.cros wn.s plantod in 1937. .\lso, the yield per a.crp for the 1923-32 period uvoret.gcd only 137 bushels r/hilc the prospect is for a yield of 34.5

·bushels. pur aero this season. ·

Although no foroct1.st of prod'uctiox~ of <nrly potatoo s in tlw soco nd-o:-trly States is yet available, tho n.creo.go pl~ntcd was incroused by ne~ly one-fourth ovor that hc.rvostod in '19 36. Tho condition .'of tho crop in this group of St nt os on Mc.y 1 indicated. nn .n.voruge yield per· <'..ere ::1.bout 20 percent higher thr~n tho rol:J.tivoly low average of 1936.· Therefor-e, i·t is believed thc.t production of now potatoes in tho socond-oo.rly st-...tos n.lsQ; will. be l:J.rgcr thlln last yo."..r.

Pr<'.ctico.lly c..ll of tho oa.rly pot:1.toos produced in Florida. ::~nd th..:; lower Rio Grande V-::>.lley of Tux.:1.s o.lren.dy h"..ve boon shipped to m:-trkot. Thus the producti'on in tho s·ccond section o.t:- oo.rly St.a.tos 1.nd in tho second-oo.rly group represents tho principal source of supply .ur,til about the first o.f July. These two areas prob::>.bly will produce close to 50 percent more thr.n they produced in 1936 c..nd nearly two-thirds oore thn.n tho.c..ver~gc crop. It is indica.ted, thorcforu, tha.t supplies of new pot~toos W'lil'l.blo for markd during tho next fow months will be unusually la.rgo. ·· ·

Shipments of new pot -:.to.:::s fror.1 Floridn. :<.nd tho low or vn.lley of Tox'l.s a.re "..bout conplvtod 'for this season, while those fron the other 0:1rly States uro ra.pidly ~tt -;,ining voluue. ·It is likuly th;~t tho 1:1arke;tings fron those StQtos, together ~ith thoso froo the second-o~rly group, ~ill increase sh~rply during tho next .few weeks and pr~ctically suppl~nt tho oovonont fron tho b .. te northern· Str.tos. ror th-:. second week of Mc:y, shipnonts o:f new pota.toos tot2led 3,060 7:1.rs by rail c..nd boat, "..gc..inst 1,800 the wook before.- .. ·This cor.ap<'.r.es with ::tn a.vor<:'..go r1.to· of n.bout l,ooo· c::'..rs· per wuok·for tho r:10nth ofl·.:l.pr-11. On tho other h-:-nd, shipnonts of old stock fr01:1 tho l<:'..te northern st.'.tt~s toto.led l,93_5 CC'.rs durihg tho socond wuok of Mo.y, coDp:"..red with 2;28.5 ·the v1eek before and :1. weekly o.voragu of a.bout 3,500·ccrs during ~pril.

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Potatoos: Shipping-point pricos, spucifiod wocks, 1936 and 1937

:F.~.b. per 100-~ound sack,: C~sh to grower, per 100 Shipping _ ··-·--,v~o_c~ o_ndinff:_ __ .. _ _ £0_1l._l!_~s...!..~ulk_,__v~-~C:~.-'::nding

point :Mn.y 16, :_\pr. 17, : IvJay 1.5: Mu.y 16, :"\pr. 17, : May 1.5 -- --. ·------ --- : ___ 1_9_3._~ ___ !_ __ l2J_L_: __ .l_V~_:_l.2l.§ ___ E _ _1_3_.3_1__:_ __ 1_9)7

Dol. Dol. Dol. Dol. Dol. Dol. Q ~.LCS~.£.: Presque Isle, Mo •• : 1.78 Rochester, N.Y •••• :. 1.80· Wr.tupn.c:t, Wis •••••• : 1.31

N e~'!_C!.:OP : Toxn.s ••••••••••••. Florid~ •••••••••• : 3.22 Alabn.r.1o. •••••••••• : 2. 40

1 • .57 1 •. 87 1.78

l.JO . 1.75 1.78

_Lo_u~.s.i'l~·?:: .. ~-~-·-!..!..•_•_•_: ___ ~_.-~2. ____ . ..:-____ l!,..t.9...:::2"--'-----

Dol. Dol.

Ql~~2rop: - ... .) 2.33 Now York Ci ty,l.c.l: ..... ·,1

·~.:

Chicago, carlot •• : 2.64 2.6.5 1.63

3.51 ~ o_:~ __ <?_~o.R.:

Now York City ,l~c.l.:

---· 2.96 _Ch~c_CI:€£.t.<:;:'}£.l_~:t__!..!..•_: _ _.:._ ____ .:::._ ___ _ Y For week ending May 8.

1.36 1 • .53 1.66

2.60

2.31 2.40

3.08 J.87

2.00 2.14

3.08 ?_._91

Cor:morcial early pot':!.toes: ]1cruago and production, aver11.ge 1928-32 and

.. _ ... . .. .. _n.n~'l!..a1_1_9~6 __ ~nd. !.9.17 __ ·--··-·-- __ ·--. ·--

Group of St::1tes : Average : 1928-32

·----·-. ·- ·---------Acres

Fall ............... : 2,400 Early (l) ......... : 38,400 Early (2) ...... -..... : 82,400 Second-early •••• til • : 50,000 Interr.J.odiG.to (1) ••• :110,600

acr cage -·----: __________ ._]?r\2_ due_!_ i_ c:n 1936

: Avora.ge : 1937 : 1928-32 :

:Forecast 1937

·----·------------+---- -·----·· Acres Acres :1,000 bu. ~ ,ooo bu. l,ooq_b_~· ---l '700 2,100 . 120 8.5 147

29 '700 37,300 3,833 2 '807 4,486 7.5,900 116,200 8,818 11,9.5.5 18,660 46,000 56,800 6,243 4, 22.5 (Forecast 73,100 79 ,_500 16,976 8,79.5 is duo

Intorr:wdio. to (2) ••• :...J1h 600 _ _M_t.2Q_Q__~8 ,800 5!918 8~093 lat_~F) ___ Total all groups: 313,400 273,300 340,700 41,9 08 3.51960

---_________ .. _____ --- ·--·----·----- ____ , ___ ...._ ___ _

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TRUCK CROPS

Preliminary estimntes_of planteq. acrea.;es of truck crops .qnd 2,;rowers 1

intentions to plant some internediate·and late Cr0"9S indicate a conoined acreac;e of 17 com.r:J.ercir-tl vef:etaole cro::;s crovrn for narket, exclusive of Early Irish pot::>.toes, only sliGhtly t;ronter than L1 1936. Unfavor'11Jle weather con-­ditions and storr:~ d<Wages resulted in a considerable abandorinent of :planted acrer.ses nnd a failure of t;rowers to conplete intentions to "Jlant in Southern States. The rate of increase in {;l.cre.ace this year, therefore, is likely to be less tha.n the P.ver,qge of rece:1.t ye.<:>rs.

Deleyed development of cor.1r.1ercial truck cro;_Js in r:ta.ny are,qs occasioned by unfavorl:'ble gro,l>'inG condition '0'-nct rain C.amat;e in Southern St-'l_tes, retarded or checked. the usu;:J.l seasonal· declines in "Grices of a nun"ber of CO'T10C.i ties 'lurine:, the month ended Hay 15.. Price ;:~_dvP_rices :·1ore thPJl offset declines c~uring this c;eriod.

i!ore recently o,<:~.r~cets for :::any of the D:'l.jor cor:1r.10C.i tics h:".VC we&':ened. As the season lJro.;rcsscs and. markctin_;s attain volur::e, early season cro:'_)s, includinG snap beans, caobn-;e, cucun'oers, pe1J"!ers, and tonatoes, may lJe ex­)ectec. to continue to decline sc:~so:1.ally.

ASPARAGUS: Decreased production exuected. Total production of nsparacus this yenr is expected to "be less than o. ·year RGO• 1llthout:;h the country's total co:Jnercial acreat_;e for cuttinG is sliGhtly above the 1936 h~_rvested o.creat:,e, 'Jlant ·srovrth v7as retarded by prolon.;eo. cool sprin~; v1enther and yields -vrill be corres"'JondinG;lY lovrer. Production in the l:~_te States this year is indicated to be 6 percent less ·than in i9.36. ~li[·ht ~ocree.ses in production are inclicated for several of the Central a:::J.c1 1Jestern Stqtes. ·The inc:ic;:-·ted -production in Nevr Jersey, nost ioportant source of the late crop, and ur,qctic,qlly all of the other eastern States show sliGht incrcr>.ses.

Prices thus fnr durin; 1937 h:we avera::;ed hit:-:her tha:::J. last year. i7i th decreased proc,uction indicated for the late St-,tes, prices for the rer.1e.inder of the season are likely to avero.t;e hicher than a year earlier.

SNAP :BEANS: Production increaseC.. Sna;_:> bean -prices usually decline se.<:tsonally fron ll.uril to June. follovrint; severe ;ain danat;e to rel8-ti vely high levels fror.1 the

This season, hoHevt:Jr, because of li,;l1.t sup1)lies the Florida crop, prices were oaintaineC. at second vreek in A-cril to r:lid-l:Iay.

Production of s1wint; crop snap "beans in the second early gro,r.9 of Ste.tes is expecteC. to be 20 percent larger than last yeer 1 s ?roduction. Acreases '7ere increased in the iD-ryortant ~!reducinG States, Louisiana, !.1ississi~)~i and Soutl:. Co.rolina, out :rields are indicated to be belo·w aver:1G'e in all St2.tes 'Jut ,,_ ·

I •l SSl SS i :!pi •

As supplies increase ·fron these second early Stqtes, seaso:::J.al C.eclines ·::1ay 1)e BJQected.

C.Ail:SAGE: Present ':Jrices above year a;;o. Cab1n1.Ge lJrices rose fron the ~ec~nd week of April to a -:;eak in eflrly Hay as su-:_J:;;!lj es fro::-t the early ::_!ro-. ~clng States tanered off. !fore recently oarkets we(~:<:msd '3.S shi:]nents froo ,?hssissi~1IJi, an inuortant source of the second early crop, increaseC. in volune.

r 1 · oc.uction fron the second early States this ~renr is inc~ic<J.ted to l)e 7 ::_)ercent

[;rhoater than in 1936, and the estioated acre::1<;e in the interoed.iatc States S OH s an increase of 3 percent.

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Season:=tl :}rice declines 1:1a.y ue E,}~ecteo to continue. Present -.Jrices are 2.tove those of. a year nc;o 1 out it is not likely thr:~t this si tu::~.tion viill continue for Dn.ny weeks. The 19~~6 cro"} fror:~ the intemedia te StA.tes was cut short :Jji drou:~ht ~nd ~?rices durinc the sur1:·.1er rose to unusun.lly hit;;h levels: The inc:ications, therefore 1 are that "lr'ices this sur;uner vrill avera~~e less than those of n. yc~r ac;o.

Cn~)~Jnc_.:e·: Pric:es~ -T:Jer lettuce crr:tte, cnrloads, f. a. b., shi}.)-Jing ~;oin·ts s~ecified :}eriods

Shi·:-'J inc ~•oint

!:I"1~Y '16 1

1936

i7eek ended l1<J.Y 15,

1937 Apr.

1936

Uonth Apr.

1937

Crys tp l S::;'rin;";s 1 l!i s s. Lower Tiio Grande, Tex.

.74 1.50

v 1.75 1.14 1.56

±/ i\vern;c for 4 days.

CAl1'TALOU?S: Increase in early ~)reduction. The acre:v;e 7lantecl to early cantnloups in tne Inperial Vqlley, Cp_liforni.r>, v1here practically all tho early cro~) is produced, is 24 :_Jerccnt larcer than last yeer, t\l.t .th-El indicated yield

·is 10-ncrcent SE1'lllo:t than a yeRr ·'lGO~ Production is forecast at 4,200,000 cr-;tos c~.tt:>.ndn.rd 45 1 s) cor:r_carcd Wi tl;, 3, 755,000 Crates hRrVested in 1936. Al­thou;h this ycar 1 s acre:-~.e anr.'. indicated -woduction is considerably lar;er than last yonr it is still bclov the 5-year (1~28-32) average.

Plant eel acre':l.ce in It1)erinl Valley, California, shovred a distinct up­Yiard trenC. fro::: 1922 to 1921, after which the trend appe.<>.rs to have been revorsoct. The 1936 acroa,~;e v-IFJ.s the sD"tllost since 1921.

AcrGoce in the second early croup of States is esth:-tated to be ll percent s:~w.ller than the 1936 n.crcace n.~1.c1 4 -percent snaller than FJVera:;e.

CUCUEBERS: Sr::',aller "Jroduction indicated. Both acreace :md ind.ic::1ted yield ~)er ,"!.cre of s"Jrint_, cro'? cuc,Jnbers in Florid.'l. and Texas: are below estimate~i for 1936. The indicated ')rocluction s:1ovrs n 22 :)ercent decrease. AcreaGe in the 5 other earl;;' Stntes,- AlabB;:m, California, Geort;ia, Louisiana and South C.-:trolino., shon 8. decrease 0f 13 percent,

ni.;;h. Texas. "Jrices

Thus fp.r this se,qson 1 su')-)lics hF~.ve been licht e>ncl -;Jrices relatively Season:01l c~eclinos nay te enected as shinn.ents increase from Florida and But vri th prospects for lo~.-r~r ::_:Jroriuction- this year it is likel;y that

will avero.ce higher than in 1936.

ONIONS: Early £!QJ2. sr'l~?,llor than las_i year. As a result of unfavorable ;rovrin,; conc.i tions in Tex.q,s durin[ A'Dril the forecast of the 1937 Jroduction of onions in the early Stnte3 was revised clowm~rarcl ancl is no,ir indicated to be 37 ~erccnt less than the lF~r~e crop harvested in 1936.

FV&-5 - 1l-

Prices of nevr crop onions usWtlly decline sharuly fro:1 A·;ril to the nic1c'.le of !fay and. then hold steady as SUJ)l'"Jlies decre.::t~e fron the earlier sections, the r.10st ir.r:'"Jortant area of v1hich ·is South Tex.qs. Prices often averace hi[her in June than in Hny.

Prices have held steady in recent VTeeks. Shi;nents -;->ro'b.:t'ol~y 'Hill c.ecrease the latter ~:-art of !:ny and theh incrense in June as the nove;~1ent '"'ttains vol une frorn north Te:x:-.'ls. \7ith a substnntial decrease in acreage over 1936 in the early States, and with yields of the Texas c~op indicated to 'oe lo~er than in 1936 or averae:;e, it is ver~r likely that ·_;rices this year 'l"rill averr:,;e coilsic:ero_l;ly hi[;her than in 1936, anct uay sho'if i:~T')rover.1ent soon.

Onions: Prices ':)er 50--:;ound sack, c:=~rloads, f. o. 'b., citsh track shi·ninG points, S'?ecifiect weeks

Crop and· locality

Yellou Berr:md~s .Larec'.o, Tex. . ...... . Crystal City, Tex ••.

Crystai 1J.hi te Wax Laredo, Tex. . ....••. Crystccl City, Tex •••

l/ AverQLe for 4 days. ?J Averar;e for 2 days.

.

.

:

\"leek ended HtW 16, .Apr. 17,

1936 1937

.39 • 33

. 0 45 0 38

:Ionth Hay 15, A;_)r. li.pr.

1937 1936 i937

v .88 0 47 ..92 1} .88 .46 ?:l .• 95

1}1.09 .64 1.13 1}1.11 • 57 1}1.06

PEAS: Larr;er ')roduction exnectcd.. Production of ,;reen ·?eas .in North Carolina and Virgimie., the hro eqrliest shi-=Y~ing St:>tes of the interueC.il'\te ;;roul), is indicated to 'be 37 -::->ercent larc;er tnn.n last yen.r' s cro=-'• The acren::,e shoYTs a c:ecrease frou 1936, tut yields are er1ectec~ to be lar.:;:er, the ~.ool t=>nd vtet Yrenther durin:; the SJ.Jrint; havinG l)een beneficirtl to the 'Jea .crop.

riATEr~IELONS: L8 r: er r::.crcn.·e indicatect. PreliDin.qry estinqtes of planted acrea,~;e in the earl;/ ~.nd. second-early St.3tes and crowers 1 intentions to ~;lant in the late States incliC,':\te th"t the total 'J.cree.c;e of the con:wrcial vr.:->.temelon croll in the United Sktes v7ill ":·e 5 ")ercent l8.r,;;er than the 1936 8Crea~ e ~end 13 ')crcent L=\rcer than the 5-yo::cr .averaG;e.

Production of vrater.wlons in the two early St."tes, Floridn 11nc".. the Iraperial VF>.lley section of California, is forecast .'\t 9,375,000 :·Jelons con:;::-ared Ytith 8,942,000 nelons h.qrvested in 1936 -- an incre~se of 1'\Dout 5 ·)ercent. In Florida the ,;ros,)ective cro:; is 9 percent a'oove the 1936 -::->roduction; al thouch acrea[B W!ls incr~nscd 22 ~e~cent, ;ield.s are indicated to be lower than a year a,~o and lov1er than averac~.

Preliminary estiuates of acreaGe in the second-early StA.tos indic2te an increase of 4 ~crcent over last year.

, FVS-5 - 12 -

Truck crops: .A.crear,e and production, avel~age 1928-32, annual 1936 and 1937

---~----·-- ---··-··- -·· -~- ------·-···-··---C0mmodi ty and group

_____ A __ c_r_e_a~g~e __________ {~~~------------~Pr~o~d=u~c~t=i~on=---~~~---: 1937

:Average: : 193'1 Average : ( Indi-:1928-32: 1936 :(prel.): Unit 1928-32 1936 : .:..: -.---.;...'....,... . ___ : ___ -:-- .___;;__ _____ : cat_e_9.l __

Acres Acres Acres : Asparagus 1/ --- --- 1,000

Early ••• :-•••• : 74,550 79,900 78,760:crates Late •••••••.• :_ 24,530 ~360_28,810: "

Total ...... =-~~qeo _10_7 ,260 107,570: " Beans, snap 1,000

Ii'all ••••••••. : 12,000 14,900 21,100:bushels: Early (1) ..•• : 9,660 30,000 30,000: " Early {2) ••.• : 27,460 31,500 20,800: " Second early • : 20,150~_670 26,080: "

Total 4 groups 69,270 100,070 97,980: " Beets

Early ......... : 4, ?ln 7,400 Secnnd early • :_2,390 ___ ).,450 Total 2 groups:_ 7 ,100 __ _§_,_!?50

Cabbage

5, 600: _1,350: 6,950:

li'all ......... : 810 1, 920 2,800: Early ••.•••.• : 37,560 57,100 58,000: Second early •• : 13 , 810 18, 300 18,800 : Intermediate •• : 25,220 32,510 33,520: Late ••••••... :_ 71, 750~- 74,030 3/80 ,100:

" " "

tons

" " " "

2/ y

'7,249 2,011 9,260

1,013 936

2,261 1,395 5,605

'7 '925 3,043

10-'- 968

1,295 1,800 2,7'73 1,309 7,177 ,

7,097 2,868 9,965

1,986 1, 950 1, 976 1,576 7,488

y 830 y 1,036 264 192

1,094 1,228

868 213

--~~~-----~~~---~1~,o~a1

5,900 211,000 80, '700

157' 700

9,500 2/307,300 2/ 92,100

160,400

22,200 327,000

981900

Total ••••.• :149,150 183,860 193,220: Cantaloups --

2/ 57.1, 600 2/519,800

" :2/1,026,900 2/1,089,100 1 ,ooo .

Eal'ly •••.• ; .• : 44,530 24 1350 Second early • : 40 J. 640 41, 210

T0ta1 ••••.• : 85 ,170--6-8,-5-Go

30,100 39,150: 69,340:.

crates: 6,~14 3,755 4,200 " : ___ 5, 56.'..;.;2:.._ __ ~4~1_,..7:.:-2::-0 ____ _ " 12 176 8 475

Carrots Fall ••.•••••. : 3 I 280 r; '100 Early o ••••••• : 8,470 11,000 Secnnd early .• : 8,550 12,300 Total 3 groups :--zo;30o-3o 400

,., ,., . f'J . .::.t.: •. ,acw..J. .ower

l,COO 10,400:bushels:

8,800: " 10,060: " 29,260: "

1,000 Fall o.nrl winter Early ....•....

7,v90 8,630

16,620

8,800 8,150: crates: B~50 7 , 900 : "

17 , 4._5_0_1_6 J 050 : " Total 2 groups: Celery

Fall and winter 7,180 0,050 9,500: " Early •.•••..• : 7,620 B,'JOO 10,050: " Second early • : 1,000 1, 900 1 750 : " rrctal 3 groups:l5,soo l9--85o .21:3oo: "

Cu~Jumbers :-----~-~ 1,000

Fall •••.••••• : 1 1390 1,600 1,600:bushels: Early ( 1) •••• : 14,630 12,600 11 ,300: "

. ~l3.rly (2) •••• :_12,2~Q_l2,330 10,730: "

. 1otal 3 groups :~5)..~ ,53.0__ 23, 63C: " Eggplant : · :

Fall o o ••••••• : 1 , 170 980 1 1 350 : " Early (Fla. ) .• : 910 600 500 : " Total 2 gr0ups:__§_?080 1,580 i~850: "

1,831 2/ 1,840 2/ 31432

7 ,1C)3

2,261 2,235 4,496

1,240 2,533

500

3,337 2/ 1,877 2/ 5,770

10,984

4,576 1,533 4,0'70

10,179

1,952 2,336 2,491 2,133 4 443 41469 -----'--------' -·-. 1,538 2,5~'S8

969

1,520 2,654

854 4,363 _ __;;..z...:....:...:. __ _ 5,0~5 5,028

104 1,128 1;289 2,421

210 256 466

160 776

1 039 1,975

133 240 373

64 605

245 150

Continued -

Truck creps: Acreage and productio:q,· average ·1928-32, annual 1936 and 1937 Cvnt'd

Acreage Produ,ction Cormnodi ty and group

. . 1937 '.Average.· 1937 Average :1928_32 : 1:936 :(prel.) '• Unit 1928_32 :. 193f'l :(Indi-

--------------~·--- . ---------------~------~----------~·~·----------~=~c_a~t_e_d~)---Acres Acres .Acres ..

--Lettuce . ·:l,OO'J

Early ••••••... 49,740 Second early •• :. 46,640

36,01C 35,250 :crates 61,980 57 ,45(' .. " 97,99~ 92,700

~~~~-~~~--~~~--Total 2· groups,:_9_6_,_,_38_0 ___ ....J... ____ -k.__._ " Onions :1' 000

Early •••••••• : Intermeaiate •• : Late •••••••.•. :

Totai • • ••• :

23,060 34,970 24,oz;o 8, 330 20 ,40c 3/17,200

53,040 54,11~3/:52,730 84,430 io9,480 93,980

sacks

" . " .• " ..

Peas, Green ::1,000 Early ••••.•.• : 6,47Q 16,400 16,200 Second early •• : 29,770 57,000 45,540

:bushels:

.. Intermediate(~: 6,320 ---~0_0 ____ 5~,~30~0--.. Total 3 .groups :.~60 . ? __ 9--''"-4_0...:.0 ___ 6_7_..,...:.0....:.4J_ ...

Peppers, Green .. Fall .......... :. 2,010 2,400 3, 6.00 .. Early, (Winter) :4/3,320 BOO 3,000 :; Early,(Spring) :!/2,500 4,50.0 2,roo ..

~~~7---~~~~~~-­Total 3 groups: 7,400 __ 7_,,_5_0.0_. _8,800 ·

Spinach -~·

" " "

" " " "

Fall • • • • • • • • • . . 2, 940 2, 900 2, fOO " Early ......... 30,860 51,450 62,000 11

SE;:cond Early •• : 8, 900 11,490 10, 71(' " Totn8.t~~s3 groups: 42 ;"79'9~-~?~,:?.:.40 75 ,nc · "

Fall • • • • • • • . • . 4,010 7,300 · 11,700 · · 11

Early (1) ••••. 10,990. 11,000 19,200 " E13rly (2) ..... 27,880 35,200 27,000 . " Se0ond Early • : 34,880 44,150 51, 000 · · "

. Total •••.•• : 7f.J5_~-'- 97, ffi(' 109,500 11

Vvaterrnelons : :1,000 Early··~·· •••. 41,460 23,500 27,000 :melons Second Aarly .:151,230.169,200 175,5Q() .. " Late ......... : 45,310 63,9003/ 6'7, 2,00 "

Total •••••• : 238:-ocio- 2f'i6, Boo 269, 7oo · · "

5,821 4,855

1() 676

2/. 2,308 2/ 1,33'7 2/ 9,609

27 13,254

4/ 41 .·

438 2,177

462 3 077

2/ .. 4.,?98

2/ 7,427

... 12122:5

2/ 3,302 2,209

11,811

2/ 17,322

1,300 2,944

278 4,t"22

35(1 132

. 1,125 1· ,·PJ·7

5,0:37 fi' 202

11,20~

2,085

888 ?80 754 7,599 7,296 11,849 2 ' 70 5 2 '40 4 3 '0 6 9

-----n,;:..z,,l.:-9;..,2;,...~~===__,1,...;o;:.L,;, 7~4 -15,698 25f 584 444

1,218 2,1!Jf4 3,540 7 078

15,202 ?! 39,858

lB, 714 71,774

990 2,f36 3,436 7,046

8,942 33,826 20,271 63,339

1,344 1,940

9,~75

Y Includes aspa;agus· for mru:ket and canning. i Includes some quanti tics not .harvested on account of market conditions. :d BaReri nn growers' intentions to plant. Y Sho.rt tJ mA average.

FVS-5 .... 14 ;._ Truck crops: 'ilho1esaie prices at Chicago and New York, specified weeks

CormTtodi ty c.nd State

Asparat,'lls (Medium) : Calif. . ....... : s. c. . ........ : N. J. . ........ : Ill. . ........•.

Beans, Fla. FlD-.

Beans, Fla.

Beets

sn2.p : C;reen) •• : (rvax) •.. • : lima ...........

Upit

crate II

II

II

, bushel II.

II

Tex ••.......... ! lettuce crate Cabbage :

Miss.(domestic): lettuce c~ate Tex. (domestic): 11

S.C. (pointed) : 1~ bush. hmp. Carrots

DolS. 'Dols. Dol-s. --- 3.20

. . :])1.16

. ' ---;2./2.00

... , :

1.08

: ' 1.42 :?:_/1.38

. .• 82 . ' .

1.62

3. 7 5 ?:.1 4. 12

1.28

2.39 .98

1.77

2.64 2.60

l. 71

1.65 2.17

4.31

1.07

1.56 1.68

• 84 . .

Dols. --2.88 2.06

2. 71 3.25

3.42

1.36

2.78 .88

Dols, 3:19

2.19 2.31

3. 08 2. 84

4. 88

2.16

3.15

l. 81

Calif ••. ·: ..... :·lettuce crate.:...6 doz.:· -2.08 · Cauliflovrer

2.64 3.30 2.62 3.14 3.84

Calif. • ....... : Celery

Fla. • .... ·, ..... : Cal if. • •..••.•.

Cucumbers Fla. • .•........

Eggplant Fla •.•.. · ....... :

Lettuce Ariz. . ......... : Calif. • ....... :

Onions Tex. (Yellow : Bermudas) •••• :

PeD-s : Calif, •....... : Hiss. .......... s. c. . ........ :

Pep:oers Fla. . ......... :

Sweet potatoes :

crate

1011 cr. 4-10 doz. -~ crate

bushel

11· , h 2 ous • crate

crate 4-5's II II

50-l'b • sack

bushel II

II

1·~ bush. hmp,

IJa. (Porto RicQn~) . 50-lb. crate Tenn. (Ncncy HD-lls) bushel hmp.

Spino.ch Tex. • ......... : v c.,. • •••••...•••

N. J • .......... : I 11. • ......... :

Tomo,toes Fla. . ......... : Tex. . ......... :

lugs II

bushel II

II

II

6 X 6 II

f~e:X:. • • • • • • , , •• : II II

. . 1.49 1.43 1.72 '1.66 1.69 2.09 .. . 2.85 2.38 2.60

: ' 3. 19 ~/ l. 31 ~/l. 55

.. . 4.22

2.83 2.96

2.21

2 •. 83 3. 44 5. 7C

2.65 2.88 2.75 2.02 ·2.71 2.68

2.08

• 86

1.48 1.28

2.50

1.06

2.66 3.32

1. 97 l. 40

3.06 3.10

3.22

2.64 1.81

• 90 ?:.1 .75

1. 96 1.56

4.75

2.65 1.82

• 79

.51 ~/ .58 1.00

2. 85 ?:./ 3.12 2.62 4.20

• 80 1. 82 1.34

1.60 1 •. 35 1.00

2.10

I. 72

3.17

.87 . 58 3/ . 60 .58

2.92

3.33

2.18 l. 81 1.44

4.50

---• 54 • 52 ---

2. 92 2. 83 3~

J;( "Ottosvo., Sec~ion, P;yramid cro.tesJ £1 Bo,sed on fo.2r qual2ty stock~ 1

: 3.42 ~/3.00 ~/3.25 2.75 :4/3.00 --- 2.80 2/2.25 :- 3.29 4f4.00 4/3.44-

2 doz. 11 • 2 One quoto.tion. BD-sed on Yew so.les, best stock •.

FVS-5 - 15-

TRUCK CROPS FOR M~.JUFACTUBE Early re1;orts fror.1 canners and nanufacturers of 8 in:::ortant vecetnbles

indicate that the total coubined acrea.~:e contracteC:. or to be contractec1..-for in 1937 is about 2 :?ercent lar,::;er than that 1,1lantecl to these ve~:et'lbles in 1936 and the larLest on record. Sharp increases are noted in the acreages to be ~?lanted to lina beans and beets for C!lnning, and to cucunbers for J?icldes, vrhile only slight increases are indicated in acrea::.·es of smr;? 'Jeans, sweet corn, ;reen ::eas, and S];)inach. Tonatoes for r:u:muf."tcture is the only cro::? for vrhich a slicht decrease in inten~ed acreace is indicated.

Since a larc;f} };)rO)ortion of the cabbac;e used in the r:lanufg.cture of kr~=mt is ~mrchased on the o:;:>on r.1arket, no definite infornation rs to the total acrea.:.e of catb~:~.t;e intended to be crown for this ~~mrpose is yet availo.l.Jle. The acre.?.c.e contracted or to 1;e contracted-for is inC.icp,ted to ~;e al)out 17 ;}ercent lar::er than the 1936 7lanted acreD.r::;e. Like,-rise, no infornation as to tl-;,e total <tCrea~ o of <.>.s:1arngus t:r..at vrill be cut for canninc ,!ur:ioses is yet av,'J.ila1)lc, but the total acrea..:;;e available for harvestinc for r.mr!cet ane. cannin.:; in the Delta area of California, Yrhere r.1ost of the as:::>ar::..c,us for crmnin..:; is -;:>roc'.uced, is inc~ict:>tec". to be sliGhtly larz~er than in 1936. ProC.uction of as~?arat:_us for :1ar:::et [tncl cnnning in CP.lifornia, hov1ever, is indicn.tcd to be 11 ~_-,ercent less tha~1 in 1936 anC. sliGhtly ~)elow avera:;e.

Al thoush the infornation avaiktble incl uctes only the acrca;_;e intended to be contracted-for or ·?lanted by canners and nanufacturers, Md not tlCreaces !:l.ctually :;:;lantecl and rer:1ainin.::; for harvest, it indicates that, in ,;eneral, the tendency is to increase the out:;:.mt of these ve:::;etables over what \7as :_;roc'l,.uced in 1936. Uith averace :rowinc conditions, nost of these e~anded acrea£es ~7oulc~ :':)roG.uce larGer tonnac;es than were actually harvested in 1936. The ceneral outlook, therefore, is for sliGhtly incr.eased su;p:;>lies of uos_t cn.nne(l a.n,~ . :·:tanufactured vesetables in 1937 over those of 1936.

Vet:;etables for cannint:; or nanufacture: Planted acrea:se, 1933-1936, :md intended acrea..:_e, 1937

Crop ----------~P~l~a~n~t~e~d~a~c~r~e~a~~:~:e~----------=Intended :1937 as% 1933 193~ 1935 1936 1937 : of 1936

Lina beans •......... : Sna.p beans ..•....... : J?eets •.............. : . Sweet corn •........ ,; Q,~cunbcrs for nickles: n .. 1.:1reen ::··eas •......••. : .

17,460 42,890 4,260

208,440 62,700

228,300

25,250 47,860 7,840

323,590 89,670

280,390

Acres

29,220 51,730 9,010

418,990 103,740 341,360

Acres Acres :Percent

34, 4•10: 55,910: 10,080:

444,370: 100,250: 337,050:

46,380: 58,050: 11,320:

450,720: llO, 990: 3·17, 050:

134.7 103.8 112.3

101.4 no. 7 102.3

Sninach : 8,200 13,,;.20 13,410 12,970: 13,170: 101.5 T;r.1atoes.: ~: ::: ~:::::; _?_~f_,_:,'}50 435 ,_620 510_, 1 5~0::.._ __ _:4~7~7 ..... .:::1c.:.:0.:::0..:.:_-=4.::.6.::.1..._, ,5:::.5::::.0:::...:..: __ -..:9:..;6"'-'.'-7'--

TOTAL above crons: sL:;•;. ·:(~0 :1. ;_·:~.~-. •'C.l 1,4~~· -~_:;__o 1,472,170:1,499,;~30: 101.8 A. J. -------~---···-·-- --

s~nrn[:.us, Delta area: Et;.·;:. ct:'l acrc,_e Of Calif. : .. Total 70,900 G•0.,,-•')0 64,340

l.farket 22,110 24,-190 15,840 cav, .... _·e f CA.nninc 48,790 42,410 '-1:8,500

"~•: o·r kraut: Total .... : 16,440 Contract.: 8,280

25,710 16,500 13,080 8,210

11-- Open r:Jlct.: 8, 19'0 ~ Pla:'P:~.Rlcl acreace; coci:>A.re s vri th

12,630 8,290 8,410 acres in 1936

61,260: 19' 0'10: 42,220:

18,810: 7,390:

11,420:

62,020:

Qnd 8,630 acres in 1935.