Aug 22, 2005

National Apple Crop Estimate Down 10 Percent from 2004

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) released its 2005 production forecast during the Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference Aug. 18-19 in Chicago.

Total apple production in the United States this year is estimated at 223.45 million bushels, down 10 percent from last year and down 2 percent from the five-year average, according to USApple.

The Eastern crop is estimated at 53.7 million bushels, down 10 percent from last year’s crop. In New York, the estimate is 25 million bushels, down 18 percent from 2004 but up 4 percent from the five-year average. Pennsylvania’s estimate is 10.5 million bushels, up 9 percent from last year and up 2 percent from the five-year average. In Virginia, the forecast is 6.5 million bushels, down 9 percent from 2004 and down 6 percent from the five-year average. North Carolina’s forecast is 4.1 million bushels, up 11 percent from last year and up 14 percent from the five-year average. West Virginia’s estimate is 1.9 million bushels, down 11 percent from the five-year average.

The Midwest crop is estimated at 27.67 million bushels, up 3 percent from both 2004 and the five-year average. Michigan is forecast at 20 million bushels, up 8 percent from its five-year average. Ohio’s estimate is 2 million bushels, down 7 percent from 2004 and down 4 percent from the five-year average. In Illinois, the estimate is 1.3 million bushels, up 19 percent from its five-year average.

The Western crop is estimated at 142 million bushels, down 12 percent from 2004 and down 3 percent from its five-year average. Washington’s estimate is 126 million bushels, down 13 percent from last year and down 1 percent from the five-year average. California’s estimate is 9.7 million bushels, up 5 percent from last year but down 15 percent from its five-year average. In Oregon, the forecast is 3 million bushels, down 20 percent from last year and down 19 percent from the five-year average. Idaho’s crop estimate is 1.5 million bushels, down 28 percent from 2004 and down 29 percent from its five-year average.