Nov 9, 2016

U.S. fresh apple holdings at 134.8 million bushels

The U.S. Apple Association has released its first report on the 2016 apple crop.

According to the report, U.S. fresh-market apple holdings of 134.8 million bushels on Nov. 1, 2016, were 14 percent more than the 2015 holdings of 118.2 million bushels and 13 percent more than the five-year average of 119 million bushels.

Total processing apple holdings as of Nov. 1 were 44.3 million bushels, 3 percent more than 2015 and 3 percent more than the five-year average for that date.

The total number of apples in storage on Nov. 1 was 179 million bushels, 11 percent more than last  November’s total of 161 million bushels. 

The November storage report reflects a distinct regional difference in the 2016 production environment. The Northeast in general, and New York in particular, was hit with cold weather at blossom time and a persistent drought during the growing season. New York Nov. 1 inventories were 28 percent below the November inventories of last year.

Appalachian and Southeast growers were also affected by the tough growing conditions, but to a lesser degree than New York. In contrast, Michigan growers experienced more favorable growing conditions, reflected by inventories that are 17 percent more than those of Nov. 1, 2015. Combined, East and Midwest Nov. 1, 2016, inventories were roughly 10 percent less than those at the same time last year.

Western growers generally experienced more favorable growing conditions in the 2016 growing season. Nov. 1, 2016, Western state holdings, led by Washington state, were 17 percent higher than those of Nov. 1, 2015.