share of the retail cost ranged from 18 
to 23 percent. For fresh fruits and vege- 
tables, on the other hand, the marketing 
margin varied almost 8 percent from 
1958-1962, generally increasing and de- 
creasing with the retail cost. Conse- 
quently, retail cost changes were shared 
more or less proportionately between 
marketing agencies and the producers, 
resulting in a farmer’s share that ranged 
from 34 to 36 percent. 
Studies of specific commodities have 
been conducted to measure the portion of 
the total margin (farm-retail spread) 
received by individual marketing agencies. 
Findings from studies of Washington De- 
licious apples, California and Florida 
oranges, Florida grapefruit, and Califor- 
nia lemons follow. 
Washington Delicious Apples 
The 1961-62 Washington Delicious apple 
situation was characterized by extremes. 
The average retail price in both Chicago 
and New York City was highest of the 
last 6 seasons (figure 5).4/ Production 
for the 1961-62 season was 32 percent 
below the 6=season average and 20 per- 
cent below the volume of the preceding 
season. The retail price per 42-pound 
carton averaged 20 cents higher in Chi- 
cago than in New York City from 1956-57 
to 1961-62, but in 1961-62 the difference 
was considerably more -= $10.42 per 
carton in Chicago compared with $9.70 
in New York City. Auction prices, which 
are usually higher in New York City, 
also differed by more than the 26-cent 
average of the last 6 seasons -= $6.21 
per carton in New York City compared 
with $5.67 in Chicago. 
The total marketing margin for apples 
marketed in Chicago rose sharply from 
1960-61 to 1961-62 -- from $6.42 to 
$7.63 per carton, All but 3 cents of the 
increase was accounted for by anincrease 
in the combined wholesale-retail margin. 
This margin was 46 percent of the retail 
4/ The season includes October through April. 
Seasonal Average at Chicago and New York City 
PRICES AND MARGINS FOR 
WASHINGTON DELICIOUS APPLES 
CHICAGO 
NEW YORK CITY 
“4 Wholesale - 
1956-57 
"58-59 
*%XPER 42 POUND CARTON. 
SEASON OCTOBER- APRIL. 
‘60-61 
U. S| DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
RETAIL PRICE, 
retail 
1956-57 ‘58-59 ‘60-61 
AUCTION PRICE. 
NEG. ERS 1736-63(1) ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE 
Figure 5 
= 26¢= 
a 
