Michigan apples experienced a slight dip in volume in the calendar year 2022, but the 2022-23 marketing year promises big gains, shipment data shows.
For the calendar year 2022, the USDA reported truck shipments of Michigan apples totaled 5.53 million (40-pound) cartons, down 2.3% from 2021.
However, the 2022-23 apple marketing season is witnessing an increase in tonnage compared with the previous season, according to the USDA.
Total 2022-23 season-to-date shipments of Michigan fresh apples through May 28 totaled 6.93 million cartons, up 51% from 4.6 million cartons at the same time a year ago.
A smaller Washington apple crop also contributed to a gain in Michigan’s share of the total fresh apple market in the 2022-23 season.
Through late May, Michigan accounted for more than 7% of U.S. fresh apple truck shipments in the 2022-23 season, up from 4.5% the same time the previous season.
Moderate demand and steady market conditions were reported for Michigan apples on June 2. On the same date last year, the USDA had already suspended the Michigan apple price report because of insufficient volume.
The top three months for Michigan apple shipments in 2022 were the months October, November and December.
Market conditions for Michigan size 88 apples ranged on June 2 from mostly $25-$27 per carton for red delicious apples, from $27-$30 per carton for golden delicious fruit, $29-$31 per carton for fujis and $32-$34 per carton, and galas $32-$34 per carton.
