Modest Rise in 2007 Fruit Output

WASHINGTON - Jul 8/08 - SNS -- Noncitrus fruit production managed a modest increase in 2007, with the total volume harvested rising 1% over the previous year, while the value of the crop to growers rose 8%, according to the USDA.

Production across the United States ended up at 17.1 million tons, up 1 percent from the 2006 utilized production. Utilized production increased from 2006 for olives (CA), apricots, blackberries (OR), avocados, nectarines, boysenberries, papayas (HI), peaches, figs (CA), grapes, sweet cherries, pears, strawberries, wild and cultivated blueberries, and tart cherries.

The revised value of utilized production for noncitrus fruit crops totaled 11.4 billion dollars, up 8% from 2006. The value of utilized production for olives (CA) increased 378%, apricots increased 43%, wild blueberries (ME) increased 38%, red raspberries are up 28%, tart cherries increased 27%, avocados are up 22%, and sweet cherries increased 20%. However, the utilized value of production for black raspberries (OR) decreased 63%, prunes (CA) are down 55%, prunes and plums (ID, MI, OR, and WA) and guavas (HI) decreased 43%, boysenberries are down 35%, blackberries (OR) are down 21%, and nectarines decreased 20%.

Utilized apple production for 2007 is revised to 9.07 billion pounds, down 7% from 2006. Utilized apple production in Washington decreased 6% to 5.20 billion pounds from 2006. Michigan's utilized production decreased 10% from 2006, while utilized production in New York increased 4% from 2006. In Washington, growers harvested apples from lower yielding, younger trees. Low summer precipitation levels in Michigan reduced fruit sizes but fruit quality remained high. In New York, hailstorms damaged some of the crop, however, apple numbers and quality were high. A severe frost decimated orchards in the Southeast and Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky. Reports of tree damage and total crop loss were common in these States.

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