Michigan apple group negotiates processing prices

The Michigan Processing Apple Growers Marketing Committee has negotiated the following minimum processing apple prices (for apples 2.5 inches and above) with some processors for the 2017 crop:

Ida Red:  $14.50/cwt.

JonaGold & Crispin: $14.00/cwt.

Hard varieties (including Golden, Empire and Jonathan) $13.00/cwt.

Soft varieties: $10.50/cwt.

The following processors are in agreement with the above minimum price schedule:

Gerber Products, Knouse Foods, Materne North America, Grawn, Peterson Farms, Sill Farms Market, Smeltzer Orchard,

Smeltzer Orchard will be paying a premium for Jonathan and Spy varieties.

Negotiations will continue with the processors not listed above.

The committee chose to not negotiate a minimum juice price or undersize price for the 2017 season.

The following processors will be purchasing juice apples and determining prices at the time of sale: Aseltine Cider, Peterson Farms, Riveridge Produce.