Fresh apple holdings down 7%

U.S. fresh apple holdings on Feb. 1 totaled 71.9 million (42-pound) cartons, 7.3% less than the same time a year ago.

Fresh apple holdings on Feb. 1, reported by the U.S. Apple Association, were 12.6% less than the five-year average.

With reduced fresh inventories this season, the USDA reported the average shipping point price for U.S. apples (all origins, all varieties) was $34.11 per carton on Feb. 4, up 18% from a year ago and up 26% from two years ago.

The following are Feb. 1 holdings (42-pound cartons) of selected fresh apple varieties, with the percentage change from a year ago:

• Total fresh apple varieties: 71.9 million, down 7%.
• Ambrosia: 1.2 million, up 1%.
• Cosmic Crisp: 4.7 million, up 61%.
• Fuji: 8.6 million, down 5%.
• Gala: 15.1 million, up 10%.
• Golden delicious: 2.9 million, down 17%.
• Granny smith: 7.7 million, down 31%.
• Honeycrisp: 6.6 million, down 17%.
• Pink Lady/Cripps Pink: 5 million, down 18%.
• Red delicious: 11.4 million, down 18%.