American Fruit and Vegetable Auctions

Report Introduction: Immense quantities of fruits are sold at auction in the large city markets. Melons and vegetables are also sold in large quantities through the auctions in some cities. The city auctions function primarily as a means of breaking up carloads or cargoes into small units and moving them into the channels of distribution, although in the case of a few commodities in a few cities, auction sales are on a carload basis. In 13 markets in which auction companies operated in 1930, 84 per cent of the domestic car-lot unloads and foreign receipts of citrus fruits and 54 per cent of the deciduous fruits were sold through the auctions. For melons, vegetables, and nuts combined, the corresponding figure was 3 per cent. This circular relates mainly to the auctions which sell fruits and vegetables after their arrival in the large city markets, and which are sometimes called "delivered auctions." A brief discussion is included on auction sales in producing districts, and f. o. b. auction sales conducted by means of a leased- wire system linking up a number of markets. The circular brings up to date statistics on city auction sales, traces developments in this method of selling during recent years, and describes the operation of the auctions and their position in the distributing machinery. Its purpose is to acquaint shippers, growers, and others interested in fruit and vegetable marketing with the methods and extent of operation of the auction.