December Apple Holdings up 26 Percent

The 2004 apple crop continues to shine in terms of quantity and quality, both of which are having a noticeable impact on the market. While apple holdings are up over previous years, the industry also is seeing an increase in apple movement early in the season.

The national movement of fresh-market apple supplies from storage during November 2004 increased 18 percent as compared to movement during the same period last year, according to the U.S. Apple Association’s (USApple) December survey of apple storage facilities.

In addition to the greater number of apples, the excellent quality of this year’s harvest is resulting in strong early-season sales.

“With a larger crop you expect greater movement, but we also believe this season’s excellent quality is contributing to brisk early season movement,” said USApple Vice-President Jim Cranney.

Fresh apple movement is higher in nearly every region, according to the survey. The Northwest reported levels about 20 percent higher than the previous year and 50 percent higher than November 2002. The movement of fresh-market apples in the Southeast also was well above previous years, with a 60 percent increase over 2003 and 14 percent jump from the five-year average. In the Northeast, fresh apple movement was 18 percent higher than November 2003 and 18 percent higher than the five-year average. Movement in the Midwest was 2 percent less than in November 2003 but 22 percent higher than the five-year average. In the Southwest, movement equaled that of November 2003 but was 25 percent lower than the five-year average.

Fresh holdings increase

Total fresh-market apple holdings on Dec. 1 were reported at 94.9 million bushels, an increase of 26 percent over December 2003 holdings of 75.3 million bushels. The 2004 fresh holdings were 12 percent higher than the five-year average for holdings for the period of 84.7 million bushels. However, the current fresh-market holdings are almost 6 percent below 1998, when fresh holdings were reported at more than 100.6 million bushels.

On a varietal basis, Dec. 1 fresh Red Delicious holdings were 32.4 million bushels, a 24 percent increase compared to Dec. 1, 2003, but 8 percent lower than the five-year average for holdings on that date.

Fresh Golden Delicious holdings of 13.5 million bushels were up 35 percent from holdings on Dec. 1, 2003, and increased 7 percent as compared to the five-year average for that date.

Fresh Granny Smith holdings of 11.1 million bushels increased 27 percent as compared to holdings on that date last year, and were up 33 percent as compared to the five-year average for Dec. 1.

Fresh Fuji holdings of 10.9 million bushels on Dec. 1 were up 27 percent from the previous year, and increased 31 percent as compared to the five-year average.

Fresh Gala holdings of 10.7 million bushels were up 53 percent from holdings on Dec. 1, 2003, and increased 75 percent as compared to the five-year average for that date.

Fresh McIntosh holdings of 2.6 million bushels on Dec. 1 were down 4 percent from the previous year, but up 3 percent from the five-year average.

Fresh Empire holdings of 2.1 million bushels on Dec. 1 decreased 11 percent as compared to last year’s holdings on that date, and were 10 percent less than the five-year average for Dec. 1.

Total U.S. holdings of fresh and processing apples on Dec. 1 were 144.1 million bushels, a 23 percent increase from holdings on Dec. 1, 2003. The Dec. 1 holdings were 10 percent above the five-year average of 130.7 million bushels for holdings on that date.