USA apple shipments are expected to rise 13 percent in the 2013-14 season, despite a smaller crop from industry leader Washington state.
About 243 million bushels are expected to be hauled, mostly by truck, up from 216 million bushels in 2012 and nine percent above the five-year average.
Major comebacks in Michigan and New York, which were clobbered by late freezes in 2012, helped make up for the smaller Washington crop.
Washington growers are expected to ship about 140 million bushels this year, down from 155 million bushels in 2012 but four percent higher than the five-year average.
New York, the No. 2 producer, is expected to ship about 32 million bushels in 2013, up from 17 million bushels in 2012 and 15 percent above the five-year average.
Shipments from Michigan, the third-largest USA apple shipper, should soar from 2.7 million to 30 million bushels.
In Pennsylvania, the No. 4 USA shipper, about 10.5 million bushels are expected, down from 11.8 million bushels in 2012 and eight percent below the five-year average.
Loadings from Virginia, are estimated at 5.5 million bushels, similar to last year and three percent above the five-year average.
California apple shipments are finished for the season, and were expected to produce about 4.8 million bushels in 2013, down from 7.1 million bushels last year and 32 percent below the five-year average.
Hudson Valley apples – grossing about $1200 to Chicago.