February, 1999
Movement of U.S. fresh apples in December 1998 was 16.5
million bushels, 23% greater than December 1997, and 26% greater than December
1996 movement, according to a nationwide survey of U.S. apple storage facilities
by the U.S. Apple Association (USApple).
“Reasonable prices, increased shelf space and the reduction in navel
orange supplies have all contributed to phenomenal fresh apple movement,”
said USApple's Vice President of Industry Services James R. (Jim) Cranney,
Jr.
Total U.S. apple movement of 22.6 million bushels during the month of December
was 19% greater than December 1997, and 28% greater than December 1996.
“The storage figures give the industry cause to be very confident as
we move into the Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage season,” said John
Rice, sales manager at Rice Fruit Company, Gardners, Pa. “Marketing
the remaining fresh supplies will be much more manageable than originally
anticipated. In fact, fresh supplies of Red Delicious are less than they
were two years ago.”
On a regional basis, total December 1998 fresh holdings for the Northeast
were down 22% from December 1997 levels and down 4% from December 1996.
Movement in the Northeast appears to be off because of a somewhat lighter
supply of fresh apples and stiff competition from Washington.
In the Southeast, fresh apple movement was up 10% from December 1997, but
down 21% from December 1996. Fresh apple movement in the Midwest increased
69% when compared to December 1997 and was more than four times greater
than December 1996, when Michigan had an unusually light crop. Reports out
of Michigan are that December was an excellent month. Movement to both domestic
and export markets has been exceptional due to competitive prices, a preferred
varietal mix and less competition from competing fruits, such as oranges.
Fresh apple movement in the Southwest remained unchanged from December 1997,
but is down 19% from December 1996. In the Northwest, December 1998 fresh
apple movement increased 31% compared to December 1997, and was up 24% compared
to December 1996.
Total U.S. fresh and processing apple holdings on January 1, 1999 were 121
million bushels, a 13% increase from January 1, 1998, holdings of 107.3
million bushels and 6% greater than January 1, 1997.
On a varietal basis, fresh Red Delicious holdings of 41.8 million bushels
on January 1, 1999 were 25% greater than in 1998, but 8% less than in 1997.
Fresh Golden Delicious holdings of 12.9 million bushels were 26% greater
than in 1998, but 16% less than 1997. Fresh Granny Smith holdings were 7.3
million bushels, an 11% increase over last year and 21% greater than 1997.
Fresh McIntosh holdings totaled 1.9 million bushels, down 32% from 1998
and down 23% from 1997. Fresh Fuji holdings totaled 7.9 million bushels,
44% greater than 1998 and 43% greater than 1997.
The Fruit Growers
News