Apple Output Declines in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Oct 12/07 - SNS -- The final U.S. apple production forecast for the 2007 crop year is 9.25 billion pounds, slightly less than the August forecast and down 7% from last year, according to the latest USDA crop estimates.

Production decreases from August were noted in both Michigan and New York while Virginia showed an increase in production. North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, and West Virginia remained unchanged from the August forecast.

Production in the Western States (AZ, CA, CO, ID, OR, UT, and WA) is forecast at 5.99 billion pounds, unchanged from August but down 4% from 2006. Washington production, which makes up 58% of the U.S. total, is forecast at 5.40 billion pounds, unchanged from the previous forecast but down 4% from last year. Warm days and cool nights during the late summer and early fall resulted in good fruit color. Harvest has progressed fairly smoothly, with the labor supply not presenting any major problems. All other Western States were carried forward from the August forecast.

Production in the Eastern States (CT, GA, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, VT, VA, and WV) is forecast at 2.29 billion pounds, down 1% from the August forecast and down 6% from last year. The apple forecast in New York, at 1.26 billion pounds, is 2% less than the August forecast but up 1% from 2006. Dry weather in the Lake Ontario growing region resulted in smaller fruit, while the Hudson Valley and Lake Champlain regions had good growing and harvest seasons. As of October 1, harvest was 58% complete.

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