-2- 



A hens and pullets on farms was up 5 percent from a year earlier and 37 percent above 

 ^^ the average. Not only is the number of hens higher this year, hut for the first four 

 months the average number of eggs laid per hen vas ^h."^ compared with an average of 



Hogs coming to market at this time of year are largely from last fall's pig 

 crop, which totaled almost ^8 million hoad--10 percent larger than the previous record 

 fall crop in 19^4-2. 



There is little danger pf anj' surplus of dairy products "bolng built up that 

 would tend to depress prices. Creamery butter production in March was 12 percent 

 under the previous March. It continued to maintain that relationship during the next 

 few weeks for which records are available. 



Cold storage holdings . Storage space has been at a premium for several 

 months, partly as a result of the need to build up stockpiles for the use of our 

 armed forces. In the case of eggs not enoiigh storage space could be found to take 

 care of our seasonal surplus. CcMpared to a year ago the only decreases in important 

 commodities in storage on June 1 were apples and butter. Greatest Increases on a per- 

 centage basis were for frozen poultry, lard and beef. The percentage change from 

 last year in storage holdings for the important ccsamodities as of June 1 are given 

 below: Apples, -50 percent; butter, -l6 percent; frozen fruit, -^20 percent; pork, 

 +U8 percent; total meats, ♦63 percent; cheese, ^67 percent; frozen vegetables, +7^ 

 . percent; boof, +172 percent; lard, +19O percent; and frozen poultry, -^-kdh percent. 

 Lard stocks were the highest in 20 years. 



Food outlook . The U. S, Department of Agriculture suggests that some meats 

 may return to the ration list in the not too distant future. The scarcer articles 

 seem to be the better qualities of beef (particularly choice cuts), ham, sliced bacon, 

 loins and the choice cuts of lamb and veal. 



The milk supply will be about the same this year as last but will be sea- 

 sonally less during late summer and fall. 



There will be less butter in the next six months than in the first half of 

 19^^ but more than in the same period of 19^5. 



Egg production is expected to decline more than seasonally, but the large 

 storage stocks accumulated this spring will be available for civilians. Poultry sup- 

 plies are increasing and a heavy culling program is being encouraged by tho government. 



Fresh vegetables will continue in reasonable supply but not in record volume 

 as occurred this spring. Vegetables canned from this year's crop will be less abun- 

 dant than in 19i4'5, particularly since noncivilian requirements have increased. 



A 10 percent larger citrus fruit crop is in prospect this fall, and more 

 p^ches, apricots and cherries than last year are in sight. A 30-percent increase in 

 grapefruit Juice is indicated. Not only is there a bumper peach crop in I],linois, 

 but the government reports that the prospect for peaches in 10 southern states ie-^. 

 ' more than twice as great as last year and only about 15 percent below the 10-year 

 average. There is a big in9rease in the crop of Florida Valencia oranges which are 

 now coming to market. 



