Packer Stories

02/21/2012

Importers worldwide can expect fewer Southern Hemisphere apples but more pears this year.

02/16/2012

Crunch Pak, Cashmere, Wash., is using Facebook to raise money for the March of Dimes during March.

02/14/2012

LAS VEGAS — A wide variety of opportunities are available for independent retailers to increase produce sales.

That was the message from five industry veterans to attendees at the “Increasing Produce Sales” workshop Feb. 13 at the National Grocer’s Association Show at the Mirage Hotel.

02/13/2012

Robert McDougall, one of four founding partners of Columbia Marketing International, died Feb. 6 in Mesa, Ariz. He was 87.

A memorial reception is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at the Wenatchee Country Club in East Wenatchee, Wash., according to a news release.

02/09/2012

About 68.5 million bushels of apples were still in storage on Feb. 1, about 4% more than the year before, according to the February Market News report from the Vienna, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association.

Market Scope - Apples — F.o.b.s as of Feb. 13

YAKIMA VALLEY AND WENATCHEE DISTRICT, WASH. — 2011 crop shipments (1,114-1,096-1,120, includes exports 411-406-397) — Movement expected about the same. Trading active. Prices generally unchanged. Washington extra fancy carton tray pack red delicious 72s $22, 80s $20-22, 88s $20, 100s $17-19, 113s $16-18, 125s $16-17; golden delicious 72-80s $20-22, 88s mostly $20, 100s $17-18, 113s $16-18, 125s $16; fuji 64-80s $22-24, 88s $20-22, 100s $18-20, 113-125s $16-18; granny smith 72s $26, 80s $24-26, 88s $22-24, 100s $20-22, 113s $18-20; 125s $18; gala 72-80s $26-28, 88s $26, 100s $22, 113s $20-22, 125s $18-20; braeburn 72-88s $18-20, 100s $15-16, 113s $14, 125s $12-14. Washington extra fancy carton tray pack fine appearance red delicious 72s $24-26, 80s $22-24, 88s $22, 100-113s $18-20, 125s $17-18; golden delicious 72-88s $24-26, 100s $20; 113s $18-20, 125s $16-18; fuji 64s mostly $24-26, 72-80s $26-28; 88s $24-26, 100s $22-24, 113-125s $18-20; granny smith 72-80s $28-30; 88s $26-28, 100s $22-24, 113s $20-22, 125s $18-20; gala 72-80s $28-30, 88s $26-28, 100s $24-26, 113s $22, 125s $20; braeburn 72-88s $20-22, 100s $18, 113s $16-17, 125s $14.

NEW YORK — Shipments (93-86-89) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading fairly active. Prices generally unchanged. Cartons U.S. extra fancy 12 3-pound film bags 2½-inch minimum red delicious, golden delicious and empire mostly $18-20, mcintosh mostly $19-20, gala $22-23, macoun mostly $20-22, rome mostly $16. Cartons U.S. extra fancy tray pack mcintosh 80-88s mostly $24-26, 100s mostly $24-25; red delicious 80-88s mostly $23-24, 100s mostly $22-23; empire 80-88s $24, 100s mostly $22-24. Cartons U.S. extra fancy cell pack mcintosh 80-88s mostly $24-26, 100s $24-25; empire 80-88s mostly $24, 100s mostly $22-24.

MICHIGAN — Shipments (66-59-76) — Movement expected about the same. Trading moderate. Prices generally unchanged. Cartons tray pack U.S. extra fancy gala 100s $25-26, red delicious and golden delicious 88s $20-22, mcintosh 100s $24-26. Cartons 12 3-pound film bags U.S. extra fancy 2½-inch minimum gala $20-24, red delicious $16-19, golden delicious, jonathan, empire and idared $16-18, mcintosh and fuji $17-20, braeburn and jonagold $18-20, law rome mostly $15-16.

APPALACHIAN DISTRICT (MD-PA-VA-WV) — Shipments (23-21-22, export 0-0-1) — Movement expected about the same. Trading moderate. Prices unchanged. Cartons of 12 3-pound film bags U.S. extra fancy 2½-inch minimum red delicious mostly $19-19.50, golden delicious mostly $19-19.50, fuji mostly $19, granny smith $20, red rome mostly $17, mcintosh mostly $19, empire $19, cartons tray pack U.S. extra fancy red delicious 72-88s mostly $22-24, 100s mostly $22, golden delicious 72-88s $22-24, 100s mostly $22, fuji 72-88s mostly $25-26, granny smith 80-88s mostly $24, red rome 64-88s mostly $19-20.

NEW ENGLAND — Shipments (7-5-6) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading moderate. Boston wholesale market prices Feb. 13, carton tray pack U.S. extra fancy New York red delicious 88-100s mostly $24. Cartons cell pack U.S. 1 Maine mcintosh 96s $16-17, 100s mostly $18, 120-140s $15-16. Cartons U.S. extra fancy 12 3-pound film bags 2½-inch minimum New York red delicious $17.