By
Kristin Churchill
Assistant Editor
The nation’s apple growers will have “a
season of opportunity” as they prepare to market this year’s
crop, a U.S. Apple Association (USApple) official said.
Jim Cranney, USApple vice president, said at the USApple Outlook Conference,
held Aug.19- 20 in Chicago that increasing exports and higher consumer
demand for apple products will benefit growers this year. He said
this year’s crop, estimated at 221.55 million bushels, is the
right size for the market, which has little carry-over from last year’s
stock.
“The apple industry is poised to enter a renaissance of growth,”
Cranney said. He said export expansion to Mexico will help lead “the
season of opportunity.” He said the 2002 tariff has been a “major
constraint” on exports into Mexico, but USApple predicted total
exports will increase to a total of 31.5 million bushels this year,
a 27.6 percent increase over last year.
Exports will increase because of a rebound in Washington’s fresh-apple
supply. Canada receives the most U.S. apple exports followed by Mexico.
Cranney said the domestic demand for apples also will increase this
year with fresh apple slices that fast-food restaurants, such as McDonald’s,
recently started offering consumers.
“Will the apple industry duplicate the success of other fresh
produce commodities with the expansion of fresh apple slices? Many
in the apple industry think it is,” Cranney said.
Marketing apples’ healthy attributes also will increase demand
for the fruit.
“It’s the solution to reduce health problems,” he
said.
At the conference, growers were optimistic about this year’s
total U.S. crop. The 221.55 million bushel forecast is up 8 percent
from last year’s crop but down 3 percent from the five-year
average.
In the West, growers estimated 139.91 million bushels for the year.
That forecast is up 13 percent from last year but down 3 percent from
the five-year average.
Washington growers, who produce the nation’s most apples, estimated
their crop at 123.81 million bushels.
Bruce Grim, Washington Apple Growers Marketing Association general
manager, said most apple-growing districts in Washington experienced
ideal bloom weather. He said in some locations the state’s bloom
dates were the second earliest on record.
California’s crop estimate is 9 million bushels.
“California has an exceptionally clean crop with good color,”said
Kenton Kidd, president of the California Apple Commission. This year’s
harvest is about 10 days ahead of last year.
Oregon’s crop estimate is 3.5 million bushels. The forecast
is 1.75 million bushels for Idaho, 750,000 bushels for Colorado, 600,000
bushels for Utah and 500,000 bushels for Arizona. Information on New
Mexico’s crop was unavailable.
In the Midwest, growers estimated this year’s crop at 28.83
million bushels. That forecast is up 1 percent from last year and
in line with the five-year average.
Michigan growers, the Midwest’s largest apple producers, estimated
20 million bushels for this year.
Dennis Courtier, president of Minnesota’s Pepin Heights Orchard
Inc., said the maturity of Michigan apples is falling behind in northern
Michigan but ahead of schedule in the rest of the state.
Courtier said Iowa’s crop – up 83 percent from last year
with a forecast at 262,000 bushels – and Kansas’ crop
– up 41 percent from last year with a forecast of 114,000 bushels
– is bouncing back.
Ohio’s crop is estimated at 2.5 million bushels. The forecast
is 1.48 million bushels for Wisconsin, 1.33 million bushels for Illinois,
1.18 million bushels for Indiana, 857,000 bushels for Missouri, 619,000
bushels for Minnesota, 238,000 bushels for Tennessee, 190,000 bushels
for Kentucky and 67,000 bushels for Arkansas.
In the East, growers estimated their crop at 52.81 million bushels,
which is 1 percent higher than last year’s crop but 4 percent
lower than the five-year average.
George Lamont, president of New York Horticulture Society, said New
England’s crop will be about a week early this year.
New York’s crop is estimated at 26 million bushels. The forecast
is 9.25 million bushels for Pennsylvania, 1.07 million bushels for
Maine, 1 million bushels for Massachusetts, 952,000 bushels for New
Jersey, 810,000 bushels for Maryland, 667,000 bushels for New Hampshire,
476,000 bushels for Connecticut and 55,000 bushels for Rhode Island.
Information on Delaware’s crop was unavailable.
Vermont’s crop, estimated at 800,000 bushels, is normal in size
this year, but “normal means down 20 percent from last year,”
Lamont said. Winter injury has affected some of the trees in the state.
Dave Cox, director of raw fruit at Knouse Foods Cooperative Inc.,
said South Carolina’s crop, estimated at 100,000 bushels this
year, is down 30 percent from last year because “one of the
largest growers decided to get out of the business.”
North Carolina’s forecast is 3.75 million bushels. The estimate
is 5.8 million bushels for Virginia, 1.8 bushels for West Virginia
and 276,000 bushels for Georgia.
USApple officials estimated 61 percent of this year’s total
U.S. crop will go to the fresh market and 39 percent will go to the
processing market.
