Riveridge Produce Marketing of Sparta, MI. is Michigan’s largest apple grower-packer-shipper and the company reports its 2023 apple crop, as well as that of Michigan – is the second largest ever, trailing only 2022. This season, Riveridge has the same acreage but more production because maturing, premium-variety blocks have developed to boost productivity.
The company estimates Michigan’s 2023 fresh market apple harvest will be between 30 and 32 million bushels. A primary difference is the final pack-outs for this new crop should be much better than the 2022 Michigan apple crop, thanks to more favorable growing conditions.
Riveridge finished shipping its 2022 apple crop just in time to start packing the new 2023 season.
For the coming year, Riverridge is shipping five varieties until the beginning of 2024’s harvest. These varieties are Gala, Fuji, Honey Crisp, Red Delicious and Ambrosia. Ambrosia is only in its third season for Riveridge to grow and ship and is rapidly gaining in popularity.
The company began harvesting its Red Delicious crop in the first week of October. Red Delicious accounts for about 10-12% of Riveridge’s volume.