Nov 12, 2009

Holdings of Fresh and Processing Apples Down from 2008

Holdings of both fresh and processing apples in the U.S. are down from a year ago, according to a storage survey released today by the U.S. Apple Association
(USApple), the national trade association for the apple industry.

The first USApple storage survey of the robust 2009 U.S. apple crop reports the total number of apples in storage on Nov.1 at 144.8 million bushels, 9 percent less than November 2008. Fresh market apple holdings totaled 108.3 million bushels, 7 percent less than last year but 3 percent above the five-year average. The inventory of apples held for processing stood at 36.5 million bushels, 15 percent below year earlier levels and 26 percent below the five-year average, according to the survey.

“Apple growers have been exceptionally active in marketing the 2009 crop thus far,” the report said. “The export market for apples is particularly strong, and consumer demand for apples in the U.S. continues to be strong as well.”

Prices received by growers for all fresh apples were lower than they were last year and below the five-year average. USDA data reported prices around 31 cents a pound in October, but well up from two months earlier, when they averaged about 18 cents.

At retail, prices of Red Delicious apples held right at the five-year average at about $1.20, but down from about $1.60 in October last year, according to the Department of Labor.

Complete results of the storage survey, including breakdowns for apples by variety and specific apple growing regions, are published in the November 2009 edition of USApple’s Market News. It can be downloaded at www.usapple.org/media/publications/marketnews/2009/november2009.pdf.