28 THE CUBA REVIEW 



CUBAN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN NEW YORK. 



The Season for Most Cuban Vegetables Nearing a Close Owing to Increased 

 Supplies from Nearer by— Pineapples Arriving Freely and Selling Well. 



Specially written for The Cuba Review by Urncr-Barry Co. of New York. 



The supply of Cuban vegetables in the New York market during the month 

 of March was larger than any previous month this season, arrivals footing up 

 to about 41,000 packages of vegetables, of which about 10,000 packages were 

 tomatoes, nearly 6,000 packages onions, and about 500 potatoes. The season is 

 now so far advanced, however, that New York is liberally supplied with vegetables 

 from Florida and nearby-sections, and with buyers giving the latter the preference 

 Cuban vegetables have fallen in price to a low and in some cases unprofitable 

 point, and shipments have fallen off materially last week or two, with outlook 

 unfavorable for any improvement on most kinds until next season. This applies 

 to tomatoes, peppers, okra and similar kinds. The steamer in April 12, however, 

 brought over 1,000 packages vegetables, mostly tomatoes, which are selling largely 

 in range of $1 @ $1.25 per carrier. These tomatoes were mostly overripe and 

 weak, and only suitable for cheap trade. If of better grade more money could 

 have been realized, as Florida sold from $1 @ $2, with an occasional fancy mark 

 exceeding the latter figure. Most of the other vegetables received of late have 

 lacked keeping properties, and while often not actually overripe, the stock has 

 shown a tendency to decay, rather than color and mature properly, so that the 

 best class of trade has not been able to handle it, and it has seldom been suitable 

 for shipment to distant markets from here. It would seem that if shipments are 

 continued from now on, very close selection must be made and only finest stock 

 forwarded in order to realize a profit. 



Prices current throughout the season for Cuban vegetables have not been 



especially high. 



Potatoes have commenced to arrive very freely from Florida and it is prob- 

 able that further lots from Cuba will receive little attention. Cuban onions sold 

 fairly well during March, but with this month more liberal supplies have appeared 

 from Bermuda and Texas, and prices have ruled lower for all new onions. It is 

 •expected that the receipts from Texas alone this week will foot up 70 or 80 car- 

 loads and they have fallen to $1.75 @ $1.90 per crate. Bermuda sold last week 

 at $2.25 per crate, but it is likely that $2 will not be exceeded for next receipts, 

 and $1.75 @ $1.90 is considered a full quotation at the present time for Cuban 

 with the future course of the market depending upon the extent of shipments 



received from Texas. 



Pineapples have arrived much more freely from Cuba of late. The second 

 or late crop is probably exhausted and present receipts are of new pines. Few 

 are arriving from Florida, and with other receipts moderate the Cuban fruit has 

 been wanted and has sold promptly at quite satisfactory prices. During the 

 month of March there were about 20,000 crates received, and so far during April 

 receipts have been nearly as much. Recent sales have been made from $2.75 @ $3 

 for choice 24 size, down to $1.75 @ $2, and even lower for very small. Just at 

 the close these figures are rather full, as offerings are quite liberal, the steamer in 

 April 8 bringing over 10,000 crates, and sales at auction April 12 were mainly 

 as follows: 24s., $2.65 @ $2.80; 30s., $2.45 @ $2.65; 36s., $2.15 @ $2.30; 42s., 

 $1.60 @ $1.85; 48s., $1.55. At this sale $2.45 was bid for 18 size, but the receiver 

 refused to accept that figure and withdrew the stock, expecting to realize more 

 from store. 



So few oranges, grape fruit or melons arriving that no settled prices prevail, 

 though it is probable that good melons would sell well at fancy prices in absence 

 of supplies from other sections. 



New York. April 12, 1909. 



