Washington apple marketers are poised to fill major supply gaps in the East and Midwest this fall with what is expected to be a record crop.
Unoffically weighing in at nearly 120 million cartons — more than 10 million cartons larger than the previous record — the crop will result in shifting promotions as retailers balance much smaller New York and Michigan crops, the perennial second- and third-largest producers, respectively.
June 11
Michigan requests disaster aid
By Markets Editor Andy Nelson
Michigan’s governor has requested federal disaster assistance for growers affected by extreme weather this winter and spring.
Losses stemming from freezes that followed unseasonably warm weather, combined with losses from other weather-related problems, could cost Michigan farmers $223.5 million, Gov. Rick Snyder said in a news release from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
While most vegetables escaped relatively unscathed, apples and other tree fruit suffered significant damage, particularly from temperatures in the low 20s at the end of April.
July 16
Short crop cuts into apple slices
By Tom Karst, National Editor
With retail sales of fresh-cut apple slices rising and demand from quick-service restaurants growing, processors and marketers of apple slices are bracing for a smaller national apple crop and the expectation of higher prices.
Total U.S. apple output for 2012-13 was forecast at 190 million bushels in a June industry estimate, below the five-year average of 224.5 million bushels. What’s more, apple crops in important Midwest and Eastern producing regions — home to several large fresh-cut apple processors — are disproportionately hurt.
Things could have taken an even worse turn, as far as supply is concerned, when hail threatened Washington’s apple production.
July 30
Hail damages Washington apples
By Andy Nelson, Markets Editor
Hail in Washington on July 20 likely will put a dent, and possibly a significant one, in the state’s 2012-13 apple crop.
Aug. 13
Washington apples expect 109 million-box crop
By Andy Nelson, Markets Editor
Hail put a dent in the 2012 Washington apple crop, but it’s still on track to be the one of the largest fresh-market crops in the state’s history.
About 109 million boxes are expected to ship from Washington this season, according to an Aug. 7 estimate from the Yakima, Wash.-based Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association and the Wenatchee, Wash.-based Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association.
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