The shipping of Michigan apples should make a major rebound this season over a year ago.
Both volume and sizing of Michigan apples should be up as the USDA predicts 1.18 billion pounds, a 40 percent increase from the 840 million pounds produced in 2017.
While it may be a large volume crop, total shipments are not expected to set a record. In 2016, Michigan apple shipments set a record of 1.28 billion pounds.
The Michigan Apple Committee reports a favorable crop to good springtime weather and no major weather incidents such as summertime hail.
The apple harvest in Michigan is underway and BelleHarvest Sales Inc. of Belding, MI is reporting a “great” crop that has size, sugar and color.
North Bay Produce of Traverse, MI launched its season with the paula reds variety on August 17th describing the growing season a pretty good, with great pollination and a really nice crop.
Glei’s Inc. of Hillsdale, MI kicked off its primary early summer varieties around Labor Day with galas city growing conditions as being much better than a year ago when there was frost damage. The company normally has apple shipments lasting 10 months, but the season in 2017 was shorter with poor quality.
Envy Apple Shipments
The Oppenheimer Group of Vancouver, B.C. is forecasting a 50 pecent increase in shipments of its Envy apples this season. The Envy apple is now shipped year around with the combination of its domestic loadings from Washington, as well as being imported from New Zealand. The variety has been described as large, red, very sweet and crisp.
Oppy also is expecting a 10 percent increase in its shipments of the Jazz variety. A big difference from last season is the company is expects good sizing for Jazz apples.
The Pacific Rose variety of apple will also receive emphasis this season, which has been sold out of Washington for 15 years. It is know as being very popular in China and in Vietnam. The taste of the Pacific Rose has been compared to that of the fuji apple.
Oppy also will be shipping Ambrosia apples in larger volume, whose originals are from British Columbia. The Ambrosia comes from BC Tree Fruit of Kelowna, B.C.
Oppy did not cite volumes for any of these varieties.