USA apples

US: Apple holdings down 3%

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About 48 million bushels of U.S.-grown fresh-market apples had yet to be shipped as of April 1, 3% less than last year at the same time.

The April total was, however, 8% higher than the five-year average, according to the April Market News report from the Vienna, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association.

Washington accounted for 41.7 million bushels of the U.S. total, Michigan 2.8 million bushels and New York 2.5 million bushels.

Holdings of red delicious, galas, golden delicious and fujis were down from last year.

Red delicious holdings fell from 20 million to 17.5 million bushels; galas from 7.1 million to 6.7 million bushels; golden delicious from 6.1 million to 5.4 million bushels; and fujis from 7.4 million to 4.6 million bushels.

Granny smith holdings increased from 5.3 million to 7 million bushels and Pink Lady from 1.33 million to 1.38 million bushels.

www.thepacker.com

Apple holdings down 3%

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About 61.5 million bushels of U.S. fresh market apples had yet to be shipped as of March 1, 3% less than last year at the same time.

The March 1 total is, however, 6% above the 5-year average of 58.2 million bushels, according to the March Market News report from the Vienna, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association.

Washington accounted for 53.1 million bushels of the U.S. total still in storage on March 1. Michigan had 3.9 million bushels, New York 3.3 million bushels and Pennsylvania 762,000 bushels.

Volumes of red delicious, galas, fujis, golden delicious and Pink Lady were down from last year.

Red delicious holdings fell from 23.9 million to 21.2 million bushels; galas from 9.6 million to 9.3 million bushels; fujis from 9.9 million to 6 million bushels; golden delicious from 7.4 million to 6.5 million bushels; and Pink Lady from 1.95 million to 1.9 million bushels.

Volumes of granny smiths increased, from 6.6 million to 8.5 million bushels.

www.thepacker.com

US apple sellers hope Chinese ban will end

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Chinese agricultural officials are close to allowing Washington state’s Red and Golden Delicious apples back into China next month after a two-year ban. It is unclear if that will also open up the US import of apples from China, which produces half the world’s apples.

The ban was imposed on Washington, which supplies 80 percent of America’s apples, after a shipment to China in early 2012 was declared to be carrying “postharvest diseases.”

US agricultural officials fought the ban last year, claiming that any diseases in the 2012 shipment only affected crab apples for pollination.

According to the Northwest Horticultural Council, agricultural representatives from both countries met in Xiamen, China, earlier in November, and agreed to new inspections by Chinese officials of Golden Delicious and Red Delicious apples in Washington.

With a surplus forecast of 15 million bushels of apples in Washington over the next few years because of increased plantings, Washington growers hope to cash in on the growing Chinese market even as the potential opening of the US market will possibly have them competing with Chinese brands at home.

www.freshplaza.com

US (WA): Increased productivity makes for another big apple crop

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In the face of decreasing acreage over the last several years, Washington’s apple growers have continually improved productivity. That has helped the state’s growers return another big apple crop this year, which, though it is less than last year’s record-setting crop, is the second-largest crop in state history.

“The crop estimate in August was 120 million bushels, and December’s final estimate was 113 million bushels,” said Todd Fryhover, President of the Washington State Apple Commission. But even after the downward adjustment, 113 million bushels would be the state’s second-largest crop ever, behind last year’s crop of 128 million bushels. Fryhover noted that the trend has been for acreage to go down over the last few years, so two large crops in a row has to do with the gains in productivity that growers have achieved.

“Production keeps going up because growers are doing better with what they have, and they’re more efficient,” said Fryhover. Growers have also leaned on varieties that allow them to be more productive. Fryhover noted that Gala apples have become popular because growers appreciate the relative ease with which they can grow the variety, especially since it’s well adapted to the state’s climate. Another winner has been the Honey Crisp apple, which Fryhover thinks has the potential to double in volume over the next three years. As far as prices, he noted that they have not been on par with those from last year.

“There were crop failures in Michigan and New York last year, so when we had a bumper crop last year there was little fruit coming from the east and we had very good prices despite the volume we had,” said Fryhover. “But with eastern states having record years this season, we have seen a downturn in prices.” But he added that growers with premium quality and good sizes can still do well this year, despite softer prices from increased competition.

“Even with big volumes here and in Pennsylvania and New York, there’s remarkable optimism right now,” said Fryhover. “It’s going to be an okay year; not super and not bad, but adequate.”

www.freshplaza.com

US (WA): Apple production down from initial estimates

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Temperature fluctuations throughout the year have contributed to a Washington apple crop that will likely net less fruit than was initially anticipated. While most varieties suffered from diminished output, Granny Smith apples actually increased in volume over last year’s numbers.

“We started out with a strong estimate, but due to certain weather conditions, this turned out to be a short crop,” said Howard Nager, vice president of marketing for Domex Superfresh Growers in Yakima, Washington. Estimates at the beginning of the season put this year’s crop near 120 million boxes, but Nager noted that estimates last month put volume closer to 113 million boxes, and the dip has cut across almost all varieties.

“We’ve seen decreases in just about every variety except Granny Smith, which has seen a 15 percent increase over last year,” said Nager. That also extends to organic varieties, which suffered similar dips. Nager pointed to temperature fluctuations throughout the season as the likely reason for less volume this season. Cool weather greeted the start of this year’s harvest, and alternating warm then cool weather in August and September affected this year’s fruit.

“It wasn’t one weather event, like a big storm or hail that did it,” said Nager. But he pointed to larger fruit this year as a bright spot this season, and there are opportunities for retailers to push some varieties.

“There are good promotional opportunities on larger-sized fruit, which translates to good pricing for consumers,” said Nager. “What we need to do now is move the crop in a consistent manner.”

www.freshplaza.com

Apple holdings up 10%

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About 120 million bushels of U.S. fresh-market apples were in storage as of Nov. 1, 10% more than last year at the same time.

The November total also is 10% higher than the 5-year average, according to the November Market News report from the Vienna, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association.

About 99 million bushels of fresh-market apples were still in storage in Washington, according to the report. Michigan had about 8.3 million bushels left to ship, New York 7.4 million and Pennsylvania 1.7 million.

By variety, gala and granny smith holdings were up over last year, and red delicious, fuji and golden delicious were down.

About 21.6 million bushels of galas had yet to be shipped, up from 20.6 million bushels. Granny smith holdings were up from 11.5 million to 14.5 million bushels.

Red delicious holdings dropped from 35.5 million to 35.2 million bushels, fujis from 15.5 million to 13 million bushels and golden delicious from 12.4 million to 10.8 million bushels.

Holdings of traditional Eastern varieties including mcintoshes, jonathans, empires, romes and cortlands were up significantly from 2012, when freezes devastated Michigan and New York crops.

 

www.thepacker.com

В конце прошлой недели в штате Нью-Йорк (США) начался сбор урожая яблок

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На этой неделе начинается сбор урожая самых популярных в Нью-Йорке сортов яблок. Как сообщают фермеры, качество фруктов в этом сезоне просто выдающееся: благодаря обилию солнечного света и тепла этим летом уровень сахара в яблоках очень высок.

«Этой осенью потребители могут рассчитывать на супер-сладкие яблоки», – заявил президент Нью-Йоркской Ассоциации яблок Джим Аллен.

В данный момент по всему штату проходит сбор яблок Макинтош. Кроме того, на прошлой неделе начался сбор яблок Гала и Ханикрисп.

Яблоки штата Нью-Йорк имеют неповторимый вкус, очень хрустящие и сочные, в течение всего лета, а особенно последних месяцев, созревали в очень благоприятных условиях.

В этом году фермеры прогнозируют 27 млн. бушелей яблок.

Полный справочник садов штата, а также информацию по сортам, рецепты и сведения по здоровому питанию вы найдете на www.nyapplecountry.com.

О Нью-Йоркской Ассоциации яблок:

Нью-Йоркская Ассоциация яблок расположена в Фишерс, штат Нью-Йорк; является некоммерческой сельскохозяйственной торговой ассоциацией, представляющей коммерческие яблочные сады Нью-Йорка. Ассоциация поддерживает прибыльное выращивание и сбыт нью-йоркских яблок, повышая спрос на яблоки и яблочные продукты, представляя эту отрасль на уровне штата и на федеральном уровне, а также являясь главным источником информации по всем вопросам, касающихся яблок Нью-Йорка.

Мичиган ищет новые рынки сбыта яблок

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Совет по экспорту яблок США – US Apple Export Council – членами которого являются производители штата Мичиган – помогает фермерам выйти на экспортные рынки путем сотрудничества с другими штатами и используя поддержку федеральных фондов.

Яблоки являются самой важной плодовой культурой, выращиваемой в штате Мичиган. В 2005 году Мичиган поставил на рынок приблизительно 635 тыс. тонн фруктов, включая яблоки, вишню, черешню, голубику, персики, виноград, клубнику, груши и сливы. 56 процентов данного объема составляют яблоки, с общим результатом – 354 тыс. тонн. Яблоки, по-прежнему, являются самой важной и наиболее ценной плодовой культурой штата Мичиган, которая приносит около 100 миллионов долларов производителям яблок каждый год.

В коммерческом производстве задействовано более 7,5 миллионов деревьев, занимающие площадь 37 000 гектар по всему Нижнему Полуострову штата Мичиган. Небольшие семейные фермы, владельцы которых работают в своих собственных садах, доминируют в яблочной индустрии штата Мичиган. При создании новых садов используется современный тренд  плотной посадки, до 500 деревьев на каждый акр. Хорошо подготовленные, посаженные близко друг к другу саженцы, намного быстрее начинают плодоносить по сравнению со «стандартными» яблочными деревьями, и поэтому производители могут представлять новые сорта на рынке намного быстрее.

Штат Мичиган также играет важную роль в переработке яблок. Более 60 процентов всех яблок Мичигана перерабатываются. Мичиган является самым крупным поставщиков яблок в нарезке, которые используются в производстве яблочных пирогов, соуса, свежего яблочного сидра.

Мексика и Латинская Америка всегда были важными направлениями сбыта яблок, выращенных в Мичигане. Однако в последнее время стали появляться новые рынки – Россия и Индия. Обычно штат экспортирует от 4 до 6% урожая. Чтобы оставаться конкурентоспособным, фермеры придерживаются южных направлений сбыта: 13 из 14 стран-импортеров расположены южнее Мичигана.

Это происходит потому, что штату приходится конкурировать с Нью-Йорком и Вашингтоном, расположенными соответственно на восточном и западном побережье. «Однако, – говорит Дениз Донахью, исполнительный директор Комитета по яблокам Мичигана, – нашим фермерам удалось выйти на рынки России, Индии и некоторых стран Азии.

Самым распространенным сортом в штате Мичиган все также остается Ред Делишес, за которым идет Голден Делишес. Однако сорт Гала уже входит в список «традиционных» сортов. Сорт Ханикрисп постепенно набирает популярность, привлекая потребителя своим сладким вкусом и сочностью.

Apple Harvest Underway This Week in New York

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FISHERS, N.Y. – The harvest of New York State’s most popular apple varieties begins this week.  The quality of the fruit this season is outstanding, with continuous sunshine and heat this summer putting high sugar levels into fruit, according to grower reports.

“Consumers should expect super sweet apples from our growers this fall,” said New York Apple Association president Jim Allen.

“Our crop is very early this year, so look for your favorite varieties at least a week sooner than typical,” Allen said.

McIntosh apples are being picked right now across the state.  Other varieties picked this week include Gala and Honeycrisp. The New York Apple Association is again partnering with retailers this fall to help alert consumers to the local aspect of the crop. “Buy local” signage and “New Crop Apple” displays will be in place in most supermarket produce departments.

“We hope New York consumers will pick our local apples versus apples from across the continent,” Allen said. “Our apples taste more fresh and flavorful because they just came off the tree and were shipped directly to your store.”

Apples grown locally taste better, are more crunchy and fresh and leave a smaller “carbon footprint” since they travel shorter distances to market, helping the environment.Growers are predicting a 27 million bushel crop, with outstanding growing conditions throughout much of the summer, especially the past month.

A complete directory of the state’s orchards, as well as variety info, recipes and health facts can be found online at www.nyapplecountry.com.

Availability Dates For 2010 New York Apple Crop:

Jersey Mac                In the barn

Tydeman                   In the barn

Paula Red                  In the barn

Ginger Gold               In the barn

Jonamac                    In the barn

Zestar                        In the barn

McIntosh                   This week

Gala                           This week

Honeycrisp               This week

Cortland                    9/10 – 9/20

Macoun                     9/20 – 10/1

Empire                       9/22 – 10/1

Spartan                      9/25 – 9/30

Jonathan                    9/25 – 9/28

Red Delicious           9/25 – 10/15

Jonagold                    9/25 – 10/8

Lady Apple                9/25 – 10/1

20 Ounce                    9/25 – 10/1

Crispin                        9/30 – 10/10

Golden Delicious       10/5 – 10/15

Idared                         10/10 – 10/18

Fuji                              10/10 – 10/25

Rome                         10/15 – 10/18

Fortune                     10/15 – 10/20

Cameo                       10/15 – 10/25

Stayman                    10/15 – 10/25

Northern Spy            10/15 –

Braeburn                   10/15 – 10/30

About the New York Apple Association:

Based in Fishers, N.Y., the NYAA is the nonprofit agricultural trade association representing the commercial apple growers in New York.  It supports profitable growing and marketing of New York apples through increasing demand for apples and apple products; representing the industry at state and federal levels and serving as the primary information source on New York apple related matters.

Source: www.nyapplecountry.com

Запущена русскоязычная версия сайта Совета по экспорту яблок США

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Теперь информация об индустрии выращивания яблок США производителей 11 штатов, представленных Советом, доступна на русском языке. На сайте Вы сможете найти данные о сортах, сезонах, областях выращивания, поставщиках яблок США, а также многое другое. Добро пожаловать на www.usaapples.com/ru.