Jan 29, 2009
Michigan Fruit Production Down in 2008

Michigan’s apple production in 2008 was 560 million pounds (13.3 million bushels), down from 770 million pounds (18.3 million bushels) in 2007, according to figures released by the Michigan field office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The preliminary farm-level value of the utilized crop was $121 million. Michigan continued to rank third in U.S. apple production behind Washington and New York, which produced 6.1 billion pounds and 1.23 billion pounds, respectively. This is the third smallest crop in Michigan in the last 33 years, the most recent low being 520 million pounds (12.4 million bushels) in 2002.

Tart cherry production was 165 million pounds, down 16 percent from the 196 million pounds produced in 2007. The average yield was 6,370 pounds per acre. The preliminary farm-level value was $64.8 million.

Sweet cherry production was 26,500 tons, down from 27,300 tons produced in 2007. The average yield was 3.68 tons per acre. The preliminary farm-level value was $15.2 million.

Cultivated blueberry production in Michigan was 110 million pounds, about 32 percent of the U.S. total. Growers harvested 18,600 acres in 2008. The farm-level value was $124 million.

Strawberry production in Michigan was 4.9 million pounds on 800 harvested acres. The farm-level value was $5.8 million.

Michigan peach production was 28 million pounds, down from 41 million pounds in 2007. Total bearing acres were 4,300 and the farm-level value was $9.1 million.

Pear production in Michigan was 2,850 tons on 800 acres. The farm-level value was $1.2 million.

Michigan plum production was 2,300 tons on 650 acres. The farm-level value was $821,000.

Michigan grape production was 73,700 tons. The farm-level value was $26.8 million. There were 45,800 tons of Concords and 22,000 tons of Niagara grapes processed. There were 2,700 tons of vinifera, 2,100 tons of hybrids and 500 tons of other varieties processed for wine. Prices for vinifera varieties averaged $1,380 per ton, hybrids $610 per ton and other varieties $240 per ton.




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