The apple stock levels back in May were reduced by half in June (12,256t to 6,630t). The June-stock-levels have never been this low in AMA-records and in a regular year - the levels were at approximately 30,000t. The speed at which the apples are moved from storage has recently been increased from 3,297t to 5,626t, which is only a fraction of the regular cut down rate of 17,000t in June. If this speed is kept up, the storage will be empty by late July, according to data of the AMA. The current low volumes in storage are well-known to be the result of last year's low yields due to damage from frost and snow.
To meet the domestic demand for apples, there has been an increase in imports. In the first quarter of the year, 24% (14,546t) more apples than usual were imported. The export markets could only be supplied with about a third of the usual volumes between January and March.
There is silver lining for apple lovers though - it won't be very much longer, in early August, until the first domestic summer apples, such as Summerred, Kornapfel and others will be ripe. Sadly though, the harvest in the fall of this year will not be as abundant as usual. Producers are expecting losses of 50% due to late frost.