Apple Markets for 2024 Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. The top apple producing states had outstanding production this year, but not without potential challenges.
Chris Gerlach, Director of Industry Analytics at the US Apple Association, says there was almost too much good fruit this year …
GERLACH … “They didn’t necessarily even do a second pick or certainly not a third pick. You know, there’s a lot of fruit left on the trees this year just because, you know, it was just such a good year. So, the fruit that they did take off, you know, it’s the reddest, it’s the least bruised. So that should store better and get higher prices at the end of the season.”
But Gerlach says there are challenges …
GERLACH … “The challenge is just that it’s a period of heavy competition and, you know, that is sort of the supply and demand picture.”
In past years, Gerlach says there was more export demand …
GERLACH … “The difficulty is just that we, you know, we had a big year in export markets. That relief valve that allowed us to keep our heads above water in the 2014-15 season is just not available to us.”
But on the other hand …
GERLACH … “I think that the quality is going to be better later. So, I think prices will be able to sustain a little bit through the season just because I think the pack-out quality will be better longer because it was a good, just good growing conditions.”
Of the 256 million bushels produced this year, Washington brought in 160 million, Michigan 32 million, and New York 28 million.
