Short apple crops in several states in the East and Midwest, coupled with continuing strong consumer demand, have caused apples prices to remain high. While unfavorable weather in Washington threatened to further limit overall apple supplies this year, better weather has led the state's growers to be a bit more optimistic about volume.Demand for apples has been high this year as several states have experienced shortages, noted Addie Pobst of CF Fresh. Though CF Fresh handles mostly organic apples, Pobst said that strong prices have been the norm for both organic and conventional fruit.
“Demand for organic produce is high, and coupled with the reduced apple crops in other producing regions we forecast that our Washington organic apples will continue to fetch premium prices as the harvest continues,” she said. She emphasized that demand has been just as important a factor in this season's prices, adding that consumers have stuck with apples despite shortages. “The high demand is certainly a key element in keeping the prices high,” she noted.
Hail storms in July threatened to further limit supplies this year, bringing down the state's crop forecast, but growers have reported a rebound in production since then.
“Washington volumes were initially expected to come in around 120 million boxes,” noted Pobst. “But that was revised down to 109 million boxes after July hailstorms. However, most growers are reporting that their Gala harvests are coming in above estimates, and if that trend continues through the later varieties, the volume will exceed the low-end estimate of 109 million boxes.” Adverse weather also caused worries about sizing and quality of fruit, but that has also cleared up.
“The extreme high temperatures in July and August led to some concern that the fruit would not size up well,” said Pobst. “But cooler daytime temperatures in the last few weeks have resulted in excellent size increases. Additionally, we are now having the crisp, cold night temperatures that really bring out the color that Washington apples are famous for.”
She added that sugars have also been very good for the fruit that's been picked, so while there were some concerns earlier in the year, those seem to have cleared up.
“Things are looking really good,” she said.
For more information:
Addie Pobst
CF Fresh, Inc.
Tel: +1 360-855-3195
[email protected]
www.vivatierra.com