Apple fresh holdings up 9%
U.S. fresh market holdings of apples were 131.1 million cartons on Dec. 1, 9% more than the same time a year ago.
In its December report on apple inventories, the U.S. Apple Association said Dec. 1 fresh holdings were 16% more than the five-year average.
Processing apple holdings Dec. 1 were 51.5 million (bushel) cartons, 20% more than last year and 21% above the five-year average.
At 115.97 million cartons, Washington state alone accounted for 88% of the entire U.S. fresh apple supply on Dec. 1, according to the report. Michigan accounted for 3% and New York’s share of the fresh apple supply on Dec. 1 was 5%, the report said.
Variety count
The report said U.S. fresh varieties on hand Dec. 1, compared with last year at the same time, were:
- Red delicious: 31.52 million cartons, down 11%;
- Gala: 24.77 million cartons, up 8%;
- Honeycrisp: 8.7 million cartons, up 56%;
- Granny smith: 16.69 million cartons, up 38%:
- Fuji: 15.08 million cartons, up 12%;
- Pink Lady/cripps pink: 4.952 million cartons, down 9%;
Price check
Price trends at shipping point were mixed for apples in December, according to daily f.o.b.s from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Washington f.o.b. prices for red delicious apples were $14 to $17 per carton for 80s on Dec. 8, down from $18 to $20 per carton the same time a year ago.
Gala apples, size 72s, were priced at an f.o.b. in Washington of $26-28 per carton on Dec. 8, up from $18-23 per carton a year ago.
For Honeycrisp apples, size 72 f.o.b.s were $44-52 per carton in Washington on Dec. 8, down from $55-63 per carton the same day a year ago.
