May 11, 2023

Apple holdings decline slightly

Fresh and processing apple inventories are reported lower in early May than in the previous year, according to a May 10 report from the U.S. Apple Association.

According to the survey, the total number of apples in storage on May 1 was 57.1 million bushels, 1.9% less than last May’s total of 58.2 million bushels and 3.1% less the five-year average for that date.

Fresh apple holdings totaled 40.2 million bushels, 2.3% less than the inventories reported for last May. Processing holdings totaled 16.8 million bushels, 0.9% less than last year on May 1, according to the report.

While Washington, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and California reported declines, Michigan, Virginia, Massachusetts, Oregon and West Virginia reported increasing storage volume.

Washington’s total storage declined from 48.7 million bushels on May 1 2022 to 45.7 million bushels on May 1. This compares to the 49.7 million bushel five-year average.

Michigan again gained in apple holdings. In early May, the state recorded 3.6 million bushels in total storage, up from 1.5 million bushels the previous year and higher than the 1.5 million bushel five-year average.

New York was 3.8 million bushels for 2022-23 compared to 3.9 million bushels the previous year and lower than the 4 million bushel five-year average.

Pennsylvania’s storage was 1.9 million bushels in 2022-23 compared to the previous year’s 2.2 million bushels and higher than the 1.8 million bushel five-year average.

Virginia storage is 922,527 bushels, up from 753,008 bushels the previous year and higher than the 819,485 bushel five-year average.

Oregon’s inventories were 499,161 bushels, higher than the 329,082 bushels during the previous period. That compares to the state’s 399,731 bushels five-year average.

Other states reporting storage declines were Connecticut, Indiana, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Ohio.

West Virginia storage jumped from 62,238 in 2022 to 129,219 in 2023. Idaho holdings remained zero for the month compared to the previous year and the 1,380 bushel five-year average.

The report captures more than 95% of the national storage capacity, according to USApple.