Apples from New York State are slightly increased in volume this season.
“We certainly have more fresh fruit for our customers and our packing line and volume is up a bit on the fresh fruit side,” says Brett Baker of United Apple Sales of Lyndonville, NY. “As far as apples go, it’s a very nice crop and maybe one of the biggest crops we’ve had yet. It’s a very clean crop—the color is very good and the size is typical.”
In terms of production, New York grows Empire, McIntosh, Cortland as well as Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Snapdragon and RubyFrost apples. “Generally all the volume of these varieties are as expected,” says Baker.
New York Honeycrisp apples.
The volume is up this year particularly compared to last year when multiple hailstorms in New York State significantly reduced the overall volume. For the Western side of the state, harvest however was pushed back in New York back five to seven days waiting for color to develop, notes Baker. Harvest should finish up in the first week of November with United's late-harvest Fuji and Pink Lady crops.
The peach factor
Meanwhile demand did start slow for apples this season says Baker. “This was because we had a very warm September and there was still good supply of stone fruit such as peaches. Mostly peaches,” he says. “But demand in October has been very strong. Hopefully we can see strong demand throughout the season.”
United Apple's SnapDragon apples.
Factoring into that demand will be how strong other domestic markets are in the U.S. “New reports yesterday suggest that Washington State is harvesting down 10-15 percent from initial estimates. Pennsylvania has a very normal crop for themselves. They had a lot of rain so they do have size. I’ve been hearing that Michigan has the largest crop they’ve ever had but it’s challenged as far as size,” says Baker.
All of this has put pricing at slightly lower than last year.
More Honeycrisp apples from United Apple.
Trade concerns
As the industry moves deeper into the season, Baker notes it is also remaining watchful of trade talks around the world. “The industry is very concerned about the effects the different trade tariffs will have on our domestic market and on our growers. Apples have been targeted in more ‘counter tariffs’,” he says, pointing to India’s recent decision to apply additional tariffs to U.S. apples. (United Apple exports to the Middle East.) “It sounds like NAFTA with Canada and Mexico is wrapping up and going in the right direction for us so that’s promising. But we’re all very concerned and following what’s happening.”
For more information:
Brett Baker
United Apple Sales
Tel: +1 (585) 765-2460
brett@unitedapplesales.com
www.unitedapplesales.com