There are a lot more apples remaining to be shipped in the U.S. compared to this time last year, thanks mostly to Washington state.
New York Apple Shipments
New York state’s apple shippers expect apple supplies for the Christmas and New Year holidays to be good with good quality, variety selection and quantity.
The Empire State had 11.5 million bushels in storage for shipping on November. 1st. The U.S. Apple Association’s monthly Market News reported ample supplies remain of best known and most popular New York varieties, including Empire and McIntosh, as well as consumer favorite Gala, as well as Rome and Idared. The preseason forecast saw a crop amounting 28 million bushels.
While more over 50 percent of the New York crop has been shipped, apple shippers contend there will be good supplies to meet year-end holiday demand.
More U.S. Apples Remain in Storage
As of December 1st, more apples in the U.S. for the fresh market remained to be shipped than at this same time last year — 9 percent more to be precise.
The U.S. Apple Association’s report for December observes apples remaining to be shipped are 16 percent more than the five-year average.
Apples for processing remaining in storage totaled 51.5 million (bushel) cartons, 20 percent more than last year and a whopping 21 percent above the five-year average.
At 115.97 million cartons, Washington state apples alone accounted for 88 percent of the entire U.S. fresh apple remaining to be shipped. Michigan accounted for 3 percent remained to be shipped, while New York state has 5 percent.
Variety count
The report said U.S. fresh varieties in storage on December 1st, compared with last year at the same time, were:
- Red delicious: 31.52 million cartons, down 11 percent;
- Gala: 24.77 million cartons, up 8 percent;
- Honeycrisp: 8.7 million cartons, up 56 percent;
- Granny smith: 16.69 million cartons, up 38 percent:
- Fuji: 15.08 million cartons, up 12 percent;
- Pink Lady/cripps pink: 4.952 million cartons, down 9 percent.
Yakima Valley Washington apples – grossing about $7900 to New York City.