August crop production report - Apples up slightly

The August USDA Crop Production report was released today. Find it here.

The USDA reports the initial apple production forecast at 9.17 billion pounds, slightly more than the 2007 crop and down 7% from 2006. Production in the Western states is forecast at 5.99 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2007 but down 3 percent from 2006. Washington production, which makes up 59 percent of the U.S. total, is forecast at 5.40 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2007 but down 3 percent from 2006. the USDA said the late spring may delay maturity and reduce sizing of red delicious and gala varieties.
Production in the Eastern states is forecast at 2.29 billion pounds, down 4 percent from 2007 and down 6 percent from 2006. The apple forecast in New York, at 1.15 billion pounds, is 12 percent less than the 2007 estimate and down 9 percent from 2006.
The production forecast for the Central States is set at 884 million pounds, a decrease of 7 percent from 2007 and 30 percent below 2006. Michigan's production forecast is 540 million pounds, down 30 percent from 2007 and 39 percent below 2006.