EGG PRICES FOB 19l4-if 

 What are the prospects for egg pricee in l^kk? 



The recently announced War Food Administration's shell egg purchase program 

 is meant to reflect to producers an annual average U. S, farm price of 5^ cents a 

 dozen and not less than 50 cents during the spring and summer when marketings are 

 heavy, 



1914-3 Average Farm Prices of Egpr.q 



These prices are somewhat helow those 

 which prevailed in I9U5. The monthly average 

 Illinois farm price in 19^1-3 was from 1 to 5 

 cents "below the U. S. fana price. The U. S. 

 farm price of eggs for January 19^^ averaged 

 3^ cents a dozen , which is 5 cents below the 

 price for January 19^3. A drop to 50 cents 

 during March, April, May, and June would he no 

 more than the usual seasonal decline from the 

 January price. 



In the WFA purchase program, eggs are 

 "bought in car lots only, and low- quality eggs 

 are to he heavily discounted . 



Price ceilings will restrict prices 

 when marketings are light. Both maximum prices 

 and support prices, however, will be adjusted for seasonal marketings. 



Some explanation of the sharp decline in egg prices during December and 

 January io to be found in egg production statistics. Because of mild weather, es- 

 pecially in north-central and western states, egg production was 6 percent higher in 

 December 19^3 than a year previous. Apparently supplies of eggs became large, rela- 

 tive to current civilian consumption, before either the 19^^ egg-storing or egg- 

 drying operations could be started. 



LFS:Jh 

 2-Yl'hh 



L. F. Stice 



