September 2022 - 22

APPLE CROP FORECAST
USAPPLE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
WA
Additionally, excessive heat in June
2021 harmed floral formation.
" The end result accounting for one
of the shortest crops Washington will
harvest in over a decade, " he said.
McDougall and Sons began
harvesting Galas in early August
in the company's most southern
growing orchards, two weeks
later than last year. This despite
this season's full bloom occurring
only three days later than 2021.
Great Lakes State returns
Michigan's 26.1 million bushels polevaults
the state 68% from the previous
year's 15.6 million bushels, exceeding the
state's 22-million bushel five-year average.
" Ideal weather conditions in spring
and summer, dedicated growers, and
stored energy from 2021's smaller crop
has resulted in a large, high-quality apple
crop for Michigan, " the Michigan Apple
Committee stated in a news release.
A lack of spring frost events and drought
conditions, isolated minor hail and ideal
pollination weather are projected to
produce higher packouts which should
yield higher grower returns, said Trish
Taylor, marketing manager of Riveridge
Produce Marketing Inc., Sparta, Michigan.
Spring weather stayed cooler longer,
setting the trees up for a strong summer
growing season.
" This harvest season looks to be
Mother Nature's gift after the last few
years, " she said. " This crop year has
been one of the most ideal in recent
years. We anticipate higher volume,
quality and availability. "
New York volume is expected to
expand 8% from 31.9 million bushels in
2021-22 to 34.5 million bushels. Chelsea
Van Acker Gowan, manager of food
safety and grower relations for New York
Apple Sales in Glenmont, New York, is
going with the industry's 32.3 million
bushel five-year average released at a June
coop forum.
" We have a nice average crop is what
most field representatives are stating, " Van
Acker Gowan said. " We are expecting
decent yields, although slightly lower than
originally hoped after a very dry summer.
" We are aware of a few holes in the
crop, but also understand that new
acreage planted in high-density plantings
are causing yields to increase, therefore
increasing our state average up each
season, " she said. " This season we have a
good crop of each variety, as compared
to last season with a shorter Honeycrisp
crop, as well as a short process crop. "
The same kind of weather related
challenges that delayed Washington apple
Scott McDougall of McDougall & Sons
views some Premier Honeycrisps in late July.
Washington growers are expecting a smaller
harvest this season. Photo: Doug Ohlemeier
harvesting also affected cherries. The
Pacific Northwest cherry crop picked
below estimate, McDougall said. " My
guess at this point is with smaller fruit size,
our apple crop may very well do the same
thing, " he said. " The one thing that could
be said about short crops is historically,
short crops normally get shorter while
larger (predicted) crops get larger. "
Blossoming investments
Michigan's outlook focuses on
colorful fruit producing favorable eating
experiences.
" More volume and consistent
good quality gives Michigan more
opportunities to build more creative,
longer programs at retail, " Taylor said.
" Also, it opens up more resources for
the farm and for growers who may have
cut-back in recent years. " The return to a
normal crop can results in more grower
investments, investing their returns in
increased plantings, new equipment and
more housing.
USApple's forecast is slightly higher
than the USDA's Aug. 12 report because it
factors in smaller states the USDA doesn't
include. The USDA limits its survey to
the top seven apple producing states,
which also includes California, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
California, Virginia and Oregon are
forecast to increase while Pennsylvania
is looking at a smaller harvest.
Pennsylvania is expected to drop 17%
22 | FruitGrowersNews.com
MI
26M
BUSHELS
PA
11M
BUSHELS
Other
UP
68%
YOY
BUSHELS
United States
Washington
New York
Michigan
Pennsylvania
California
DOWN
17%
YOY
Virginia
Oregon
DOWN
4%
155M
YOY
LEVELS
254,958,714
154,761,905
34,523,810
26,190,476
10,952,381
5,714,286
4,404,762
4,166,667
14,244,428
248,364,084
160,952,381
31,904,762
15,619,048
13,261,905
5,142,857
3,904,762
3,702,381
13,875,989
264,117,619
168,928,571
32,333,333
22,147,619
11,890,476
5,633,333
4,504,762
3,931,905
14,747,619
PRODUCTION
2022/23 (F)
2021/22
5-YR. AVERAGE
PERCENT
CHANGE
(vs. 2022/23)
2.70%
-3.80%
8.20%
67.70%
-17.40%
11.10%
12.80%
12.50%
2.70%
U.S. Apple Production, by State. Production levels are in 42-pound bushels. Five-year averages do not include 2022/23 forecast.
USDA U.S. total revised to include imputed production from " Other " states. " Other " states' production calculated based on 2017
share of U.S. total. Sources: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service; USApple.*(F) Forecast.
A Premier Honeycrisp orchard in Michigan.
The state's production is forecast to
bounce back from disappointing recent
harvests. Photo: Riveridge
from 2021's 13.2 million bushels to
2022's 10.9 million bushels.
California volume increases 11% from
the previous year's 5.1 million bushels to
5.7 million bushels. Virginia is forecast
for a 12.8% increase from 3.9 million
bushels to 4.1 million bushels. Oregon is
estimated to grow 12.5% from 3.7 million
bushels to 4.1 million bushels
Galas continue to be the top variety,
with 18%, (almost 46 million bushels), of
U.S. apple production. The other top five
are Red Delicious (34 million bushels),
Fujis (26 million bushels), Honeycrisps
(25 million bushels), and Granny Smiths
(24 million bushels).
Varieties experiencing volume increases
include Honeycrisp, Pink Lady/Cripps
Pink and Cosmic Crisp with Fuji, Granny
Smith and Rome varieties remaining
relatively consistent compared to 2017-18
production volumes. Declining varieties
include Golden Delicious, Galas and Red
Delicious, according to USApple.
During the past five years, Honeycrisp
production increased 48% (8 million
bushels). Conversely, Red Delicious
decreased 41% (24 million bushels)
during the same period. FGN

http://www.fruit-treesales.com http://www.FruitGrowersNews.com

September 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2022