Similar to trends experienced across the US Apple industry, Pink Lady® crop estimates of 130,000 metric tons fell short by nearly 22,000 tons after the 2018 harvest was complete. Typically the last variety brought into the warehouse each fall, November figures from the US Apple Association indicate 5,988,948 18 kg boxes will be produced for the fresh market in the 2018-19 marketing season. Mild autumn weather set up perfect conditions for coloring and maturity, which will allow the crop to store exceptionally well, long into 2019, suppliers say.
“Despite a tonnage shortfall of nearly 17 percent in 2018, there is an expectation for continued and even expanded growth in the in the production of Pink Lady® apples over the next several years.” noted Lynnell Brandt, President of Pink Lady® America. Since the introduction of the new, earlier maturing cultivar called ‘Barnsby’ (named for the breeder in Australia) there are new Pink Lady® plantings and orders for advance plantings in such areas as Northern Washington State, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania as well as Ontario and British Columbia in Canada. This new clone matures as much as 4 weeks earlier than the standard Cripps Pink clone. Its quality is the same as the traditional Cripps Pink and is being marketed under the Pink Lady® brand in the U.S.
As results demonstrate in the most recent Proprietary Variety Management (PVM) consumer focus study, Pink Lady® apples remain highly recognized by consumers when asked, “Which apples or brands of apples have you heard of?”, the results show Pink Lady® remains one of the most popular and recognized apple brands, suppliers noted.
For more information:
Lynnell Brandt
Pink Lady America
Ph: +1 (509-248-4315)
lynnell@pinkladyamerica.com
www.pinkladyamerica.org