|
How has the spiking
of liquid fertilizer affected the organic industry’s image?
|
|
|
A Big Crop Coming? |
 |
|
|
The petals were still falling and June drop hadn’t yet begun, but apple growers were already talking about a big crop.
It could be psychological, I suppose. In our office here in Sparta, we’re right on the Ridge, so it’s hard not to see all those flowers. Michigan had a very short crop last year and the trees were ready to go this spring. The cool weather restrained them enough to avoid serious freeze damage, and that appears to have been the case all across apple country.
In southern Michigan, Michigan State Horticultural Society’s executive director, Allyn Anthony, said he pulled the bees out early. There were so many flowers, if they all pollinated the next challenge would be getting them thinned.
Washington and New York had large crops last year and a repeat there, plus big crops elsewhere, could spell trouble.
The slide in apple prices that started last fall has growers concerned. On the plus side, apples are moving pretty well despite the sluggish economy.
We’re all looking forward to June 17, when the 54th annual Fruit Crop Guesstimate will be held at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Mich. Sponsored by the Michigan Frozen Food Packers Association (MFFPA), the event brings in fruit industry people from across the United States – and some from other countries – for an early season assessment of the size of fruit crops – not only apples, but peaches, blueberries, grapes and sweet and tart cherries.
It’s the official opening of the real buzz in the marketing business.
For more information on the Guesstimate or to register (it costs $75), call MFFPA’s executive director, Terry Morrison, at 231-271-5752, or e-mail him at mfpa@centurytel.net.
 |
  
|
|
Phil Pitts
Michigan Processing Apple Growers
Phil Pitts mans the sales desk at Michigan Processing Apple Growers, an organization that bargains with apple processors on behalf of its members – and in so doing, provides a force in price leadership nationally. We asked Phil some questions:
How does the apple crop seem to be shaping up?
There could be a record national crop. While fruit set is not a defined science, there didn’t seem to be any issues with pollination and freezes this year, as there were last year. But we’re still a long way from cashing this fruit crop into payment.
Our information is that Michigan has the potential for a large crop. In Washington, good return bloom is reported on all varieties. The crop looks normal or better in most of the eastern apple growing states.
How did Michigan processing apple growers do last year?
We had some record prices last year, and it’ll be a while before we see them again. We don’t have the numbers on our Web site yet, but these were the minimum prices we established last year (with comparisons to previous years):
Minimum Price History ($/cwt) |
| |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
| Jonathan |
17.00 |
13.75 |
11.75 |
| Spy/Jonagold |
16.00 |
12.75 |
10.50 |
| Ida Red |
15.00 |
12.00 |
10.50 |
| Golden Delicious |
13.50 |
10.50 |
9.50 |
| Hard varieties |
13.00 |
10.00 |
9.00 |
| Soft varieties |
12.00 |
9.00 |
8.00 |
| Juice |
8.50 |
6.25 |
5.25 |
| Juice apples in peeler loads |
7.50 |
|
|
The big Washington crop had a huge impact on the processed and juice market. Juice apples there are going for 1 and 2 cents a pound.
Are you looking forward to the Guesstimate June 17?
As always, it’ll be interesting. The potential is for large crops both in Michigan and nationally.
When do you start negotiating with processors for prices on the 2009 crop?
We start in August.
 |
|
|
Events Calendar
June 11
Illinois Summer Horticulture Field Day
Royal Oak Farm Orchard, Harvard, Ill.
Don Naylor, 309-530-7678, ilsthortsoc@yahoo.com
June 14-15
The Michigan Food Processors Association 104th Annual Meeting
Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire, Mich.
Terry Morrison, 231-271-5752, mfpa@centurytel.net
June 17
54th Annual Fruit Crop Guesstimate
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Contact: Michigan Frozen Food Packers Association
231-271-5752
Click here to view more calendar listings...
|
|
