Posts Tagged “Washington apple shipments”
Record apple shipments in the United States are predicted for the 2014-15 shipping season.
As of December 1st, this season’s fresh apples in storage totaled 122.2 million bushels, a whopping 16 percent increase from the same time last year.
Apples for processing totaled 44.6 million bushels, 3 percent above last year on December 1st. The total number of apples in storage on December 1st was 166.8 million bushels, 12 percent above last December’s total.
The United States has about 7,500 apple producers who grow nearly 200 varieties of apples on approximately 328,000 acres.
The 2013-14 crop estimate, at 248.6 million bushels, was the 10th-largest apple crop shipped since the U.S. Department of Agriculture began keeping statistics on commercial apple production.
Washington state’s Yakima and Wenatchee valleys continue to ship about as many apples each year as all of the apple shipping areas in the United States combined. The state is averaging about 3,500 truck load equivalents weekly.
Both Michigan and New York state have similar volume this season, with both averaging around 250 truck loads of apples being shipped a week.
By contrast the Appalachian district that includes Pennsylvania, Maryland, Viriginia and West Virginia combined are loading about 100 truck loads of apples per week.
Michigan apple shipments – grossing about $4100 to Houston.
Hudson Valley New York apple shipments – grossing about $1600 to Baltimore.
Washington apple shipments – grossing about $8,000 to New York City.
Washington apple shipments for the 2014-15 season are expected to easily blow away the previous record set during the 2011-12 season.
The state’s apple growers harvested an estimated 150 million boxes this year, a little less than originally forecast.
So far, packers have shipped 35 million boxes, leaving 115 boxes currently in storage to fill the market throughout much of 2015. A box of apples typically weighs between 40 and 42 pounds.
The final count came in 3 percent shy of the previous forecast of 155 million boxes because of a November freeze and a port slowdown that prompted many packing companies to divert more fresh fruit to processors.
A labor dispute between dockworkers and the companies that operate the shipping terminals in Seattle and Tacoma, as well as 27 other cities along the West Coast, has drastically slowed down exports and imports of everything from fruit and airplane parts to clothing and kitchen goods.
Washington leads the nation in apple production, while Yakima County is the highest-producing county in the country.
Refrigerated trucks for hauling Washington apples continues to be in short supply.
Freight on apples out of the state have been fluctuating by $400 to $500 per truck load to the same destinations, depending on the day of the week, availability of equipment, etc.
Yakima Valley apples – grossing about $4800 to Chicago; about $7200 to Pittsburgh.
While the Washington State bumper apple harvest is nearly finished, a monster sized crop may be getting even bigger – increasing your loading opportunities for the season.
The initial estimate for Washington apple shipments was about 140 million boxes, however, some growers believe it could now hit 150 million boxes.
In fact, the Washington apple crop is so huge some growers are already mentioning sending some of the fruit originally intended for the fresh market, to the processed market, or being used for cow feed. We expect to hear this talk coming from Idaho potato farmers, who are notorious for over production, but not the apple folks!
There also are concerns by apple growers and shippers about the availability of transportation in the midst of large volumes.
One shipper recently stated, “We have needed almost 300-400 more trucks each week out of the state of Washington to deliver this product. And that’s been difficult especially this time of year as the Northwest begins shipping Christmas trees, so trucks are much more difficult to obtain.”
Under these circumstance one would expect produce freight rates for apple hauls to be stronger this year – something we will find out in the weeks and months ahead.
Washington state apples from the Yakima and Wenatchee Valleys – grossing about $6800 to Orlando.
The nation’s two largest apple shipping states, Washington and New York, are gearing up with excellent, if not record breaking apple loads this season.
Washington Apple Shipments
There’s little doubt Washington state will break all records for apple shipments during the 2014-15 season. An estimated 140 million cartons of fruit will be shipped, with the majority being by truck. This volume will easily break the record loadings of the 2012-13 crop, which totaled 128 million cartons. This will be 22 percent more than the 115 million cartons shipped during the 2013-14 season.
The new records reflect higher density plantings in orchards over the past 10 years. The old orchards had about 300 apple trees per acre. In recent years 1,000 to 1,500 trees are being planted per acre. Red Delicious still remains the top variety to be shipped, estimated at 38 million cartons this season. This is followed by the Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith and Golden Delicious. About 72 percent of Washington apples are shipped for the fresh market, with the balance for processing.
Washington apples from the Yakima and Wenatchee Valleys – grossing about $8200 to New York City.
New York Apple Shipments
Truck loadings for apples during the 2014-15 season will be less than last season, but more than the average shipments for the past five years. The state expects to ship over 30 million bushels this season.
New York apple shipments should rank second to Washington state in total volume this season. The state moved into volume in September, and loadings will be heaviest from now through the first quarter of 2015.
The leading varieties volume are: McIntosh, Empire, Red Delicious, Cortland, Crispin and Golden Delicious.
Hudson Valley apples – grossing about $2200 to Atlanta.
There should be excellent hauling opportunities for apples and pears from Washington this season.
Similar to most crops along the West Coast this year, Washington apple shipments got underway unusually early with the Gingergold variety in late July. It may have been the first time fruit was picked before August.
As the season is off and running it appears there will be record shipments this year, mostly by truck. Washington apple shipments are expected to be around 140 million cartons, which would easily surpass the previous record of just under 130 million cartons during the 2012-13 season.
Washington Pear Shipments
The green colored Bartlett pears started being shipped from Washington state in early August. As the Bartletts lead off pear loadings, other varieties are nearing being shipped as well.
Red Anjous and Starkrimson are getting underway this week. Soon to follow will be the Bosc, Forelle, Comice, Seckel, Asian and Red Sensation pears. Shipments of Bartletts, Starkrimsons and Red Sensations will continue through December. Seckels, Comice and Asian pears ship during the winter months, and Red and Green Anjous typically ship from late summer or early fall into the next summer.
Washington apples, pears and cherries – grossing about $4300 to Chicago.
Even though Thanksgiving is a couple of days away, most orders by receivers now involve restocking after the big turkey feast.
Desert Vegetable Shipments
Here’s an update on desert shipments from Yuma, AZ and California’s Imperial Valley. Plus, here’s a glimpse at loading opportunities regarding Washington state apples and Idaho potatoes.
With San Joaquin Valley lettuce from the Huron district all but history, the head lettuce harvest has just started from Yuma, AZ, although shipments remain minimal. Yuma typically about starts about a week or two ahead of shipments from the Imperial Valley. Lettuce from there won’t get underway until around December 9th.
However, cauliflower, as well as some leafy greens have just started from Brawley in the Imperial Valley, with broccoli following in early December.
Celery will continue to be shipped out of Ventura County through the end of the year, when loadings then shift to the Imperial Valley.
Desert veggies, plus cantaloupe – grossing about $5200 to Atlanta.
Washington Apple Shipments
Never mind Washington apple shipments are down this season, it is still a huge crop and plentiful loading opportunities remain for at least the next six months. Yakima Valley apple shipments, as well as the Wenatchee Valley are shipping on average about 2,500 truck load equivalents of apples a week, and this doesn’t even include pear loadings.
Washington apples and pears – about $7000 to New York City.
Idaho Potato Shipments
Idaho also has fewer potato shipments this season, but there’s still plenty of tubers for hauling. Idaho is averaging about 2,000 truck load equivalents per week of potatoes.
Idaho spuds – about $2900 to Chicago.
It is another big season for apple haulers. There are about 120 million bushels of U.S. fresh-market apples were in storage as of November 1st, 10 percent more than last year at the same time.
The November total also is 10 percent higher than the five-year average.
The nation’s leading apple shipper, Washington state, has about 99 million bushels of apples still in storage…..Michigan has about 8.3 million bushels left to ship, while New York has 7.4 million and Pennsylvania 1.7 million.
Michigan apple shipments are expected to be 10 times as plentiful as last year’s puny output.
In a typical year, Michigan’s 9.2 million trees produce 20 million to 23 million bushels.
The state’s 2013 harvest is projected to be around 30 million bushels, which roughly equals out to 382 medium-sized apples for every state resident; 12 for every American.
Nationally, about 21.6 million bushels of galas have yet to be shipped, up from 20.6 million bushels. Granny smith holdings were up from 11.5 million to 14.5 million bushels.
Red delicious in storage dropped from 35.5 million to 35.2 million bushels, fujis from 15.5 million to 13 million bushels and golden delicious from 12.4 million to 10.8 million bushels.
Holdings of traditional Eastern varieties including mcintoshes, jonathans, empires, romes and cortlands were up significantly from 2012, when freezes devastated Michigan and New York crops.
Washington apple shipments – grossing about $6400 to New York City.
Michigan apples – about $3000 to New York City.
California pears, as well as Washington state blueberries are moving in good volume. Washington apple loadings should be heavy again this season.
California pear loadings started a few weeks ago and have moved into good volume. Volume is expected to hit about 4.5 million 36-pound cartons, up slightly from the 2012 crop.
More specifically, California pear shipments should total about 2.8 million from the river district, 1.2 million from the lake district and about 418,000 from the mountain district.
Washington blueberries, apples
Record Washington state blueberry shipments are currently taking place. Last year Washington loaded 70 million pounds of blueberries, which was a record. This year total shipments could set another record, with 80 million pounds of blueberries.
It will be August 10th When the official estimate for Washington state apples shipments for the 2013-13 season will be released. However, the state’s apple industry already is predicting between 110 and 125 million boxes will be shipped.
The harvest for the new crop of apples should start beginning the first week of August, with increasing shipments following in the weeks ahead. There should be good loading opportunities for Washington apples in time for deliveries ahead of time to receivers for Labor Day (September 2nd).
Washington cherry shipments are now in peak volume, but are expected to end a couple of weeks earlier than normal. This would mean the cherry season ending about the time produce haulers could switch to loading apples prior to the Labor Day weekend.
Washington cherries – grossing about $4600 to Chicago.
California pears – about $7700 to New York City.