8/10 USDA Crop Production - Apples are out

Here is the link to today's USDA Crop Production report.

For most observers, the highlight of the report is record corn production, forecast at 24% higher than last year and 17% above 2005.

For the produce trade, the crop production report details prospects for U.S. apple output. From the looks of the report, U.S. apple growers should be looking forward to another strong year. Here is what the USDA said:

Apples: The U.S. apple forecast for the 2007 crop year is 9.28 billion pounds, down 7 percent from last year and 4 percent below 2005. Extreme weather conditions across most of the United States, from spring freezes to summer drought, have had a significant impact on apple production. Production in the Western States (AZ, CA, CO, ID, OR, UT, and WA) is forecast at 5.99 billion pounds, down 4 percent from last year and 6 percent below 2005. Washington production, which makes up 58 percent of the U.S. total, is forecast at 5.40 billion pounds, down 4 percent from last year and 5 percent below 2005. Hard frosts during October and November 2006 followed by a cold spring were factors that contributed to the reduced apple crop. Many growers experienced a poor return bloom this spring, particularly on Red and Golden Delicious varieties. California apple production is forecast at 340 million pounds, 4 percent below the past two years. The crop received adequate chilling hours over the winter and the weather was favorable during bloom. Harvesting of Gala apples began in late July, slightly earlier than last year. Oregon's production is forecast at 145 million pounds, 3 percent below 2006 but unchanged from 2005. Orchards in the western portion of the State received rain during bloom, which reduced fruit set. Production along the Washington border is expected to be slightly higher than last year, however, this is not enough to offset the decrease in production experienced elsewhere in the State. Production in the Eastern States (CT, GA, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY,NC, PA, RI, SC, VT, VA, and WV) is forecast at 2.31 billion pounds,down 5 percent from last year but 3 percent above 2005. The apple forecast in New York, at 1.29 billion pounds, is up 3 percent from2006 and 23 percent above 2005. Across New York, producers reported good crop conditions, despite some hail damage. Dry weather in the Lake Ontario and Hudson Valley regions may have reduced fruit size. Pennsylvania's forecast of 455 million pounds is 3 percent less than last year and 9 percent below 2005. Despite favorable weather conditions after bloom, extremely dry weather is negatively affecting apple size. A crop of 200 million pounds is forecast for Virginia, 9 percent less than last year and 20 percent below 2005. A late frost and freezing temperatures caused damage to the crop across the apple growing region. Rainfall was adequate in May, but hot, dry conditions persisted throughout June and July. North Carolina's crop is forecast at 50.0 million pounds, down71 percent from 2006 and 62 percent below 2005. A severe freeze in April resulted in reduced production across the State. Production in the Central States (IL, IN, IA, KY, MI, MN, MO, OH,TN, and WI) is forecast at 979 million pounds, a decrease of20 percent from 2006 and 11 percent below 2005. Michigan's production forecast is 790 million pounds, down 7 percent from last year but 4 percent above 2005. A late April freeze reduced yield potential in southern Michigan. Hot, dry weather has minimized disease pressure and hastened fruit development. Maturity projections are one week to 12 days ahead of normal. Ohio's forecast is 55.0 million pounds, 46 percent below 2006 and44 percent below 2005. Weather conditions during the spring were wet and cool, while conditions during the summer have been hot and dry. A late freeze in April resulted in damage to this year's apple crop. Production in Wisconsin is forecast at 62.0 million pounds, down 5 percent from 2006 but 19 percent above 2005. Favorable spring weather across most of the State resulted in good pollination and fruit set. Warm weather has benefited fruit size and limited disease pressure.