Posts Tagged “Washington apple shipments”
As part of its 2025 Outlook Conference, the U.S. Apple Association announced its first official crop estimate for the 2025-26 season.
Using both USDA data as well as insights from state representatives, the association projects about 278.5 million bushels, which is up about 1.3% from the 2024-25 season estimate. These figures are slightly down from the USDA estimate of about 290.1 million bushels. This figure, though, is about 3.6% above the five-year average.
One thing Chris Gerlach, vice president of insights and analytics with the U.S. Apple Association, points out that this crop estimate will not necessarily reflect the true size of the 2025-26 harvest.
“That’s a capacity number that is not necessarily what’s going to be picked and packed,” he says.
State estimates
Leading the country in production is Washington, with a forecast record crop of about 180 million bushels, which is up 1.1% year-over-year.
Gerlach says he also coordinated to get additional context behind these figures and the state representatives he spoke with indicated a mild summer and ideal weather has set the crop up well. He says the insiders he talked to say gala and red delicious will be smaller than average but good color and quality while Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp and fuji will have a good medium to large profile.
“Discipline will be required to leave smaller fruit on the tree — money will be tight to pick everything,” he says.
New York, taking the No. 2 spot, will come in with about 30.5 million bushels, which is about a 0.7% decrease from last season.
Insiders tell Gerlach that a cold and wet spring and a hot and dry summer have impacted the crop this year. Gerlach reports insiders told him growers in the state struggled with chemical thinners this year, which may have impacted size. The state expects to have good volume with a light Honeycrisp season this year, light processing varieties such as Idared and Rome but a decent red delicious crop this year.
In the third spot, Michigan projects to be up about 10% with about 30 million bushels. A cold spring and thinning issues impacted the crop, but Gerlach says insiders told him the crop is shaping up well. Insiders indicate Honeycrisp and gala volume will be up this year in the state, but fuji will be down.
Fourth in production in the country, Pennsylvania production, forecast at 10.5 million bushels, will be up about 2% year-over-year.
Gerlach says state representatives indicate fruit is clean and sizing well. As far as varieties, Honeycrisp and fuji volumes will be down this year and gala volumes will be up. Insiders indicate variable volumes on red delicious and processing varieties.
“Effective thinning after the April freeze in Pennsylvania and a wet May can lead to a larger crop,” he says.
Virginia, in the fourth spot, forecasts to be down by 50% to 2.75 million bushels.
“A considerable frost freeze event in April was preceded by three days of warm weather, which maximizes that impact,” Gerlach says. “The natural thinning event will reduce volume but may help sizing.”
In terms of volume, insiders from Virginia tell Gerlach that gala, golden delicious and granny smith look to be in good supply, but York, red delicious and pink lady will be down this year.
In the fifth spot, Oregon projection is forecast to be up 40% year-over-year with an estimated crop size of 3.9 million bushels.
Variety estimates
Remaining in the top spot is gala, with a projected 47 million bushels or about 16% of U.S. production. Red delicious remains in the second spot with about 39 million bushels, or about 13% of total U.S. production. Honeycrisp is up a spot, coming in third with 34 million bushels or 12% of the U.S. total production. Rounding out the top five are granny smith at 32 million bushels, 11% of U.S. total production, and fuji at 25 million bushels or 9% of the U.S. total production.
Gerlach says this year’s forecast shows pink lady and Cosmic Crisp both trending upward.
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The previous two seasons Washington state has had big and small volume apple crops, but this time around it appears to be more normal.
Washington Fruit Growers of Yakima, WA questions anymore what is “normal” but acknowledges this year the volume appears to large, nor is it small.
Shipments were down in 2022, but were large last season.
CMI Orchards of Wenachee, WA noted the extreme differences in volume in recent seasons, but describes this year as reaching as “sweet spot.”
Rainier Fruit of Shelah, WA notes it is no surprise there is a smaller crop this time around since last season set a record for volume.
Stemilt Growers of Wenatchee, WA notes the 124 million boxes forecast for Washington state is down 9 percent from last year’s record setter.
River Valley Fruit of Grandview, WA relates weather issues is resulting in more smaller sized apples this season, but this will be good for marketing bagged fruit.
Stemilt Growers attributes the 9 percent volume decline this season due to there being 26 percent fewer Honey Crisp. It can be biennial bearing. Honeycrisp experienced 30% volume growth year over year in 2023j.
Honeybear Brands of Brewster, WA notes some carry over of product from the 2023 but is encouraged by the good demand early in the new season.
Gee Whiz of Orondo, WA, a leading grower of Washington apples and cherries and the only producer of the Hunnyz™ apple variety, announces that for the first season since the variety was introduced, volume is expected to extend into late spring 2025.
“We are so pleased to be able to meet more of the demand that has culminated since we first introduced Hunnyz™ in 2022,” said Brian Traum, Director of Sales and Marketing. “We have reached a production level in terms of tree maturity and consistent fruit quality that will help us extend the Hunnyz™ season well into May 2025. We are proud of this achievement and cannot wait for those first boxes to hit store shelves!”
Hunnyz™ apples are quickly gaining retail appeal due to their uniquely exceptional crunch and mouthwatering sweet tang. Several national retailers have conducted blind taste testing of leading apple varieties with internal focus groups and Hunnyz™ have repeatedly ranked #1 in flavor. This bi-color apple is a cross between CrimsonCrisp® and Honeycrisp and provides a perfectly balanced flavor that rivals all others.
“Because Gee Whiz® is the only apple producer to grow this particular variety, we are able to control the growing practices of this fruit to an exacting degree that ensures every Hunnyz™ apple tree is delivering the same sweet, crunchy eating experience with every bite”, added Traum.
In addition to the larger volume this apple season, Hunnyz™ will be available in more pack styles including tray pack, pouch bags, and Euro style bags. The first harvest of Hunnyz™ apples will ship in early October 2024 and supply is expected to carry into May 2025. For additional information, please visitwww.geewhizfruit.com.
About Gee Whiz
For nearly 100 years, Gee Whiz has been a leading grower, packer, and shipper of apples, cherries, and other tree fruit. Known for their innovative growing practices that dramatically impact the quality and flavor of their fruit, Gee Whiz has been a leader in the development of new apple varieties and planting methods. In 1972 the company planted the first commercial crop of Granny Smith Apples in Washington State. With two primary growing locations nestled along the Columbia River in central Washington state: Orondo and Vantage, Gee Whiz fruit reflects the pristine elements found in these ideal growing environments. From the orchard crew to the order fulfillment team and everyone in between, the company’s collective mission is to achieve one singular outcome… packing the very best eating experience into every single box for 100% shopper satisfaction. For more information, please visitwww.geewhizfruit.com.
Stemilt Growers of Wenatchee, WA expects a big increase in organic Cosmic Crisp apple volume this fall.
The grower/shipper notes volume is finally to a point of making this a top apple variety organically.
Approximately 30% of Stemilt’s entire tree fruit volume is grown and certified organic.
Organic apples make up a large portion of the firm’s organics, and it is considered a leader in the hard-to-grow organic pears and cherries. The organization’s entire stone fruit program (peaches and nectarines) is organic.
While Stemilt is down on organic apples year over year, the 2023 crop was large and the marketer expects good volume on organics in the 2024-25 season.
Stemilt reports a 40% increase on organic pears, while the conventional pear crop is down.
Cosmic Crisp organic volume will be up significantly, and SweeTango is back on track after less volume last year. In contrast, Honeycrisp volume in 2024 is expected to be down nearly 17% compared with the 2023 crop.
In its preliminary forecast for the 2024 Washington state fresh apple crop, a return to the historical norms after two unusual years is expected, according to The Washington State Tree Fruit Association .
The association provided the initial estimate of 124 million standard 40-pound boxes, following a survey of its members. In 2022, cool and wet weather resulted in a crop of 103.9 million, and in 2023, the crop rebounded with 136.1 million boxes.
“There is a lot of excitement as we are seeing a more normal harvest and excellent fruit quality this year,” Jon DeVaney, association president, said in a news release. “A moderate spring and a warm early summer created stable growing conditions, so our domestic and foreign customers can expect the flavor, size, color, and overall high quality that make Washington apples famous.”
The association said the moderate weather also helps the state’s organic growers, adding that organic apples make up about 16% of this year’s crop, up from 11% about five years ago. Growers in the state generate around 90% of the domestic organic apples, according to the release.
“Our growers work hard to deliver the apples that consumers want and enjoy, and for many consumers that includes organics,” DeVaney said.
The association said gala is the top variety produced in the state at 19%, followed by granny smith (14.5%), red delicious (13%), honeycrisp (12%) and fuji (10.5%).
Cosmic Crisp, developed at Washington State University, will make up 9% of this year’s crop, according to the association. Cripps pink will be about 7% of the crop, Envy and golden delicious around 3.5% each and Ambrosia at 2%.
Apples represent about 16% — or about $2 billion — of the state’s total farm-gate agricultural value in 2022 and exports about 30% of its apples, the association said.
“Thanks to more favorable growing conditions this past year, we expect the projected harvest to be not only high in quantity but also quality,” Derek Sandison, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, said in the release.
Growers in Washington state will deliver a robust crop with high quality across all varietals thanks to moderate weather. The forecast also shows a “continuing trend of higher overall numbers of organic apples and new varietals including Cosmic Crisp.
Washington state produces 90% of the country’s organic apples, which continue to gain traction. Organic apples represent nearly 16% of this year’s crop, up from 11% five years ago.
The report highlights growth in the state’s five most popular varietals. Gala leads at 19% of production, followed by Granny Smith at 14.5%, Red Delicious at 13%, Honeycrisp at 12%, and Fuji at 10.5%.
Cosmic Crisp, developed by Washington State University, is expected to account for 9% of this year’s crop. Cripps Pink will represent nearly 7%, Envy and Golden Delicious 3.5% each, and Ambrosia 2%. All other varieties make up about 6%.
The apple forecast is based on a survey of WSTFA members. The report represents an estimate of the total volume of apples harvested for the fresh market in 2024.
By Pacificpro Sales LLC, Belleville, WA
Good volume shipments are expected this entire season through the summer into new crop, on the primary varieties.
The entire 2023 Washington apple crop is currently in storage and controlled atmosphere rooms and is shaping up to be a great season for growers and consumers alike.
The harvest began in mid- August with the Gala variety and finished in November with the latest season variety to be harvested, the Pink Lady. Estimates put the total crop size in the 134 million box range. This is up over the 5-year average and a significant increase from the 2022-23 crop of 104 million boxes, a 29% increase.
The large crop is due to the ideal growing season in the spring and summer of 2023. The lack of any significant freezes after the bloom, no significant hailstorms or other weather damage, and 90-degree temperatures this summer resulted in a very clean crop with great sizing, color, crispness and flavor.
The warm days but not overly hot days, which would be more than 100 degrees, are great for sizing and sweetness, and when coupled with the cooler nights, results in great color and condition.
The Gala variety tops the list as the largest volume Washington apple variety this season at roughly 20% of the total crop or 26.5 million boxes, followed by the Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Red Delicious and Fuji.
The iconic Red Delicious has been usurped in recent years by the Gala as the largest Washington variety. The Honeycrisp saw a significant jump in total volume this year due to the larger crop and better quality resulting in higher pack-outs.
The newest broadly grown variety, the Cosmic Crisp, continues to grow in both availability and popularity, accounting for roughly 5% of this season’s total Washington crop.
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) predicts the 2023-2024 apple crop will be up as much as 28%, compared to the 2022-2023 season, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, a produce buying operation.
Washington
- The WSTFA projects approximately 134 million cases (40-pound packs) will be shipped during the 2023-2024 season, up from nearly 104 million cases in 2022-2023
- The ample supply expectation for 2023-2024 follows last year’s short season, that was hindered by cold, rainy, and snowy weather during the growing process
- Suppliers saw yearly averages of approximately 120 million cases prior to last year’s short crop
- Expect level or below-average markets depending on variety
Michigan
- Growers saw a record-setting crop in 2022-2023, at nearly 32.4 million bushels (40-pound packs) harvested; ideal weather conditions in spring and summer 2022 bolstered the crop
- Currently, Michigan apple growers aren’t expecting another record year, but are expecting close to 90% of last year’s crop total
- Average seasonal yields prior to last season’s record crop were at 24 million bushels
- Markets will ease once the new crop season is in full swing in September
The nation’s leading apple shipper, Washington state, has a 2023 crop estimated at nearly 160 million bushels and valued at more than $2 billion — 9% higher than last year, according to USApple, of Falls Church, VA. The nonprofit industry association reports Washington accounts for 63.8% of U.S. apple production and 67.5% of the value.
Due to favorable weather, Washington expects to ship nearly 130 million cartons of apples this year, according to the Washington Tree Fruit Association. This compares to nearly 100 million cases shipped last season.
The Skagit Valley Food Co-op in Mt. Vernon, WA., ships about a dozen varieties of Washington apples in the fall, with four varieties available year-round.
Washington’s fuji apple has the largest volume year-round due to its price, which is often $1.49 per pound and sometimes as low as 99 cents per pound. This compares with $3.49 to $3.99 for other varieties. The apples are all organic.
Washington is home to more than 30 varieties of apples — some of them year-round mainstays, some more experimental new varieties, and others that fall somewhere in between. Of these apples, 72% go to the fresh market, according to USApple.
The state’s most popular apples are gala, Honeycrisp, red delicious and fuji.
Sage Fruit Co., Yakima, moves it biggest volume with Honeycrisp, gala, fuji, granny smith and Pink Lady. The fruit shipper handles sales and marketing for five grower-packer-shippers in the Pacific Northwest.
In November the Washington organic apple crop was projected to exceed 15 million cartons, while the Washington state overall crop was projected at 118 million cartons.
Domestic truck shipments of Washington conventional apples through December 25 equaled 24.4 million cartons, compared with 25 million cartons the same time a year ago, according to the USDA.
Through December 25, season-to-date domestic truck volume of Washington organic apples totaled about 5.5 million cartons, almost exactly the same volume as the same time a year ago.
Organic apple supplies are tight and getting tighter in the 2021-22 marketing season.
The December 25 average organic apple price was $56.26 per carton at U.S. wholesale markets tracked by the USDA, 41% higher than the $39.83 per carton average for conventional apples the same day.
The USDA reported size 72 Washington organic gala apples were trading at $34 to $36 per carton on December 29, up slightly from a year ago.
The USDA reported the national average shipping point price for organic apples on Dec. 25 was $29.65 per carton, just 3% higher than the average shipping point price for conventional apples at $28.96 per carton.
The U.S. average retail promoted price for organic apples was $1.81 per pound in early December, up from $1.61 per pound in early December 2020.
Sage Fruit Co. of Yakima, WA notes both conventional and organic apple volume is down this season. About 15% of the company’s total crop is in organics, but that number is growing yearly.
At Stemilt Growers of Wenatchee, WA, organics account for about 30% of its overall apple shipments.
Honeybear Marketing of Brewster, WA reports about 12% of the company’s shipments are with organic apples. Honeybear Marketing has more domestic organic trees coming into production in the 2021 season, boosting this year’s volume of organic apples. The company has supplies of organic galas, Honeycrisp, granny smith, fujis, Pink Lady and Cosmic Crisp.
Honeybear ships organic and conventional apples year-round because of its dual hemisphere program. During the winter and spring, it is loading its domestic supply, but in late summer, the company gradually shifts to its Southern Hemisphere apple program.
At CMI Orchards of Wenatchee, WA, organics account for about 15% to 20% of apple volume, and also as a dual hemisphere program for winter and spring.
Washington apples and pears – grossing $13,500 and more to New York City.