June, 1940] Markets for New Hampshire Berries 



39 



Local markets are more limited in size and could not absorb greatly 

 increased supplies without influencing prices adversely. 



The average premium in these cities does not appear very attrac- 

 tive but there are years when prices are distinctly more attractive 

 and much would be gained by shipping. A few such years are cited 

 below : 



1929 — Boston paid an average premium of about 3.9 cents a quart. 

 1937— Xew York city paid an average premium of about 5.8 cents 



a quart. 

 1937 — Hartford paid an average premium of about 5 cents a quart. 



Growers may find it desirable to watch prices in other markets. 

 Vermont cities often prove good markets, especially to growers in 

 the western part of the state. 



Shipping costs 



Shipping charges from different points in the state do not vary 

 greatly for shipment south, to points like Xew York city. Express 

 rates from Alton, Claremont. and Greenville vary only to the extent 

 of .3 cents a quart to New York city, and .4 cents per quart to Bos- 

 ton. But shipments to Portland from those same cities var\- as much 

 as .8 cents a quart. 



Many growers ship by truck into Boston and some large producers 

 also handle berries for smaller producers. 



Boston blueberry market 



New Hampshire growers are principally interested in markets and 

 prices for blueberries in July, August, and September. In that pe- 

 riod in 1939 the following states were in order, the most important 

 sources of supply for the Boston market. 



July 1-July 22 



July 23-29 



July 30- August 5 



August 6-12 



August 13 — September 2 



(1) Pennsylvania 



(1) Pennsylvania (2) Massachusetts 



(1) Maine (2) New Hampshire 

 (3) Massachusetts 



(1) Maine (2) New Hampshire 



(1) Maine (2) New Brunswick, 

 Canada 



(3) New Hampshire 



Low prices for the season were reached in the week ending Aug- 

 ust 19. 1939. New Hampshire berries averaged among the low- 

 est in price. A large portion of the August berries reaching the 

 Boston market from New Hampshire appear to be low bush blue- 

 berries. 



Boston receives an average of over 200 carloads of blueberries 

 annually. About 42 per cent arrive in August, 32 per cent in Julv, 

 and June and September receipts are about equal. 



See Fig. 13 for volume of shipments of berries' from various states. 



