Market conditions are positive for the 2007 fresh apple crop, according to the U.S. Apple Association (USApple), the national trade association for the apple industry. Strong demand, excellent quality fruit and a fresh apple crop similar in size to that of last year set the stage for what promises to be another good year for most of the apple industry.
In a November survey of U.S. apple storage facilities, USApple found that U.S. fresh-market apple holdings of 100 million bushels are nearly identical to inventory levels at this time last year. As of November 1, 2007, holdings are smaller than three of the last 10 crop years for which such data are available.
Total processing apple holdings are 43.5 million bushels, down 15 percent from 2006, according to the November survey. At 143.5 million bushels, combined U.S. holdings of both fresh and processing apples saw a 5 percent decrease from storage levels at this time one year ago.
“Fresh apple supplies are just about right to meet rising consumer demand for apples,” said James R. Cranney, Jr., vice president of USApple. “There are enough apples to go around, but there is certainly no surplus in the fresh market. However, the survey indicates processing supplies are tight. These factors are expected to lead to a very promising year for growers.”
On a regional basis, the November survey indicates that both the Northeast and Northwest currently have an increase in fresh holdings as compared to last year at this time and the historical averages. Fresh holdings in the Northeast are 10.9 million bushels, an increase of 4 percent from holdings on November 1, 2006. This is 9 percent more than the five-year average for that date. Fresh holdings in the Northwest are reported at 81.5 million bushels, 2 percent higher than on November 1, 2006, and 4 percent higher than the five-year average.
Both the Midwest and Southeast growing regions are experiencing a decrease in apple production and storage due to spring frost crop damage. Southeast fresh holdings are 1.2 million bushels, down 29 percent from holdings on November 1, 2006, and 20 percent less than the five-year average for November. In the Midwest, fresh holdings are 5.6 million bushels, down 18 percent as compared to holdings on Nov. 1, 2006, and down 7 percent as compared to the five-year average.
Fresh-market apples in storage on Nov. 1, 2007, are 23 percent lower than last year at this time in the Southwest, and 31 percent lower than the five-year average.
On a varietal basis, there are fewer Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples in storage this year than in previous years. Fresh Red Delicious holdings are at nearly 32.7 million bushels on November 1, which is a 10 percent decrease compared to November 1, 2006. At 12 million bushels, fresh Golden Delicious holdings are down 13 percent from last November 1. Fresh Granny Smith and Empire also decreased, - with 12 million bushels of Granny Smiths and 2.5 million bushels of Empires in storage, both fall slightly short of the holdings reported on November 1, 2006. Granny Smiths are 4 percent lower while Empires are only 2 percent lower than the previous year.
Among the varieties that have more in storage this year are Gala, Fuji and McIntosh. Fresh Gala holdings of 14.3 million bushels are up 28 percent from holdings a year ago. Fuji holdings of 10.5 million bushels on Nov. 1, 2007, are up 3 percent from the previous year, and fresh McIntosh holdings of 2.5 million bushels increased 1 percent from last year.