With the backing of technology giant Alphabet, a new ag tech company called Mineral has been unveiled with the ambition to help scale sustainable agriculture.
Fresh apple holdings on Jan. 1 totaled 84.2 million bushels, 4.1% less than the inventories reported last January, according to statistics from the U.S. Apple Association.
Despite the leaner crop of apples in Washington, Envy and Jazz variety apples should be good for promotion in the next few months, says Roger Aguirre, director of apples and pears for Oppy.
The average price per count carton for all U.S. conventional apples was up 16% from the same time last year and up 22% from the same time two years ago.
Michigan’s apple crop enjoyed a great growing season that has resulted in better volume and a larger size profile for many varieties, said Trish Taylor, marketing manager for Riveridge Produce.
In a year when many Washington apple varieties saw reduced output, the Cosmic Crisp apple has given buyers bigger volume and promising potential, marketers say.
Communicating with truck drivers, treating them well when they arrive at Chelan Fresh facilities and getting them loaded quickly are some ways the company is helping drivers, says Mac Riggan, director of marketing.
