Apple Outlook Part 3

Apple Outlook Part 3. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

One would assume that the 2013 apple crop would be a bit different this year since last year was an unusual one for all of the U.S. apple producers except for Washington State. Todd Fryhover, President of the Washington Apple Commission.

FRYHOVER: Yeah, that’s true. The weather back east has been reasonable. There hasn’t been a lot of frost damage. They are behind. The weather has been cool so they are a week or two behind what they consider could be normal but both New York and Michigan and Pennsylvania as well are reporting near normal or even higher volumes.

Due to the problems in other growing regions last years prices were very good and you might expect that to change a bit this year.

FRYHOVER: Well it’s hard to say. So much depends on the variety and the size and the export opportunities that are out there but it could definitely be a little more competitive in the marketplace with New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania having normal or slightly larger than normal crops.

And how about the export market?

FRYHOVER: Generally speaking this year has been good for exports. We’re up about 8% compared to last year and last year was a record volume so this season looks to be good. We do have a few hiccups out there. China remains closed. Indonesia is having some issues with some new regulations that are coming out and they have a Presidential election in 2014 which basically means there’s some politicking that’s going on. But generally speaking places like Mexico and Canada have been extremely positive this season and we expect that to continue into next season.

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