Peach & Apricot Production Down

Peach & Apricot Production Down. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

The latest report from the National Ag Statistics Service is showing that the United States peach production forecast is 1.13 million tons, down 2 percent from 2010. Twelve of the 23 Freestone peach estimating States expect decreases in production from last year, eight States expect production increases, and three States show no change. Freestone production, at 697,140 tons, is down 3 percent from last season. Northwest Ag’s Lacy Gray has more.

GRAY: Washington peach producers indicated that the late fall 2010 freeze and cold, wet spring conditions have had a negative effect on this year’s peach crop but overall, peaches have faired well. The slower growing season is expected to aid fruit quality and sizing. Harvest is expected to be two to three days later than normal. Washington production is forecast at 14,000 tons, unchanged from the quantity produced in 2010.

Thanks Lacy. The final forecast for the 2011 U.S. apricot crop is 59,175 tons, down 9 percent from last year. The apricot crop in California represents 93 percent of the total 2011 United States apricot production. The quality of the crop has been good, despite the cool temperatures and late rain experienced during the spring. Washington’s apricot crop was affected by a hard freeze in November, spring frost, and poor pollination resulting from cold, wet weather. Washington growers experienced their coldest April in history. Production is forecast at 4,000 tons, down 32 percent from last year.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.