U.S. Fresh Apple Shipments Forecast to be Down Slightly

U.S. Fresh Apple Shipments Forecast to be Down Slightly

U.S. apple shipments from fresh and processed production is estimated for 2020 to be 253.6 million (42-pound) cartons, down from 262.3 million cartons in 2019, according to the USDA.

Forecast apple production this season is expected to be lower in all states except Oregon.

Late winter weather in Michigan delayed development of spring buds and some orchards there suffered a severe freeze in early May.

The USDA’s 2020 estimates for fresh and processed apples, in 42-pound cartons, with percent change from the 2019 crop:

  • California: 6.42 million cartons, down 11.5 percent;
  • Michigan: 21.9 million cartons, down 2.8 percent;
  • New York: 30.9 million cartons, down 1.6 percent;
  • Oregon: 4.28 million cartons, up 20 percent;
  • Pennsylvania: 10 million cartons, down 17.2 percent;
  • Virginia: 3.8 million cartons, 15.8 percent; and
  • Washington: 176.2 million cartons, down 2.7 percent.