June, 1999
Movement of U.S. apples from storage to market continued to build steam during the month of April, outpacing the market’s performance in April of last year as well as for the five-year average for the month, the U.S. Apple Association (USApple) reported recently.
According to a nationwide survey of U.S. apple storage facilities released May 7 by USApple, 18.2 million bushels of apples moved out of storage in April, 17% more than in April 1998 and 23% greater than the five-year average for the month.
"National movement has been remarkable," said USApple Vice President of Industry Services James R. "Jim" Cranney, Jr., who oversees the monthly survey and its analysis. "This is obviously the result of some very aggressive marketing. If we continue at this pace for the rest of the season, we will be in a good year-end position by August."
Movement of fresh-market apples from storage in April was 12.8 million bushels, a 21% increase compared to April 1998 and a 19% increase from the five-year average for the month.
Movement of fresh-market apples out of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage was 19% greater than during April 1998 and 16% greater than the five-year average.
On a regional basis, fresh-apple movement in the East reflected dwindling supplies of a short 1999 New England crop and lighter fresh-market supplies from New York state; movement of Northeast apples was down 16% from April 1998, and movement in the Southeast was down 74% from April 1998. Meanwhile, in the Northwest, fresh-apple movement was up 32% in April, and movement in the Midwest was up 4%, compared to 1998.
As of May 1, 44.3 million bushels of 1998 crop apples remained in storage, 14% above the level in storage on May 1, 1998, and 14% above the five-year average for that date. CA holdings of 42 million bushels on May 1 were 17% higher than holdings in storage on May 1, 1998. Total fresh apple holdings on May 1 of 31.8 million bushels were 17% above holdings on May 1, 1998, but were 6% lower than holdings on May 1, 1997.
The Fruit Growers News