MARKETING OF BERMUDA ONIONS 
39 
ECONOMIC FACTORS 
The wholesale price of a crate of Bermuda onions of a given variety, 
grade, and condition, at a given time and place, is dependent upon 
a number of factors which may be conveniently classified into three 
groups: (1) Those that affect primarily the opening price and the 
general price level of the season; (2) those that influence principally 
the price fluctuations within the season; and (3) those that are more 
or less local in character and principally affect prices at a given point. 
The average opening price at consuming centers paid for Texas 
Bermuda onions has varied from approximately $2 to $6 per crate 
during the 8-year period. The seasonal average price has varied in 
almost the same ratio. This variation, one season with another, 
may be traced to the following factors, of which the first two are of 
greatest importance: (1) Quantity of old onions in storage at 
opening of the Bermuda season. (2) Prices at which these onions 
are being sold. (3) Estimated size of crop of Bermudas. (4) Im- 
ports of onions during the Bermuda season. (5) Accuracy and 
completeness of market information and mental reactions of growers 
and dealers. (6) General price level. 
QUANTITY OF OLD ONIONS IN STORAGE 
The quantity of the previous year's crop of northern onions still 
unconsumed at the beginning of the Bermuda season exerts an 
RELATION OF BERMUDA OPENING PRICES TO OLD STORAGE HOLDINGS 
+ 2.0 
922 
1923 
Fio. 12.— A close inverse correlation exists between the amount of old stock in storage on February 1 (the 
last date upon which a complete report is made up) and the prices paid for Bermudas at the opening 
of the season 7 to 10 weeks later. The solid line represents the average of the first week's price for the 
principal consuming cities, the dotted line actual carloads in storage February 1, each expressed in 
terms of comparable units 
influence on the prices paid for Bermuda onions, particularly the 
opening price, out of all proportion to the relative size of the two. 
It is surprising that less than 500 cars of old stock (except in 1921— 
952 cars) can indicate so closely the general price level of the early 
sales for a seasonal output of 3,000 to 6,000 cars. Figure 12 shows 
graphically the close inverse correlation which exists between the 
amount of storage stock and opening prices of Bermudas. 
