U.S. Apple Crop Sinks 14%

WASHINGTON - Aug 10/12 - SNS -- The United States apple production for the 2012 crop year is forecast at 8.06 billion pounds, down 14% from 2011, according to the latest USDA crop estimate.

Production in the Western States (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington) is forecast at 6.21 billion pounds, up 6% from last year. Washington growers experienced a relatively normal growing season, without losses from freezes or frost, and with good pollination weather. Production in Oregon is up from last year, contrary to the typical alternate bearing pattern.

Production in the Eastern States (Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia) is forecast at 1.60 billion pounds, down 31% from last year. New York producers reported significant losses due to adverse weather conditions. A warm spring season prompted trees to begin budding earlier than usual. Immediately following the warm spell in March, multiple freezes in April damaged many of the buds. In July, drought conditions hampered most of the remaining production. In North Carolina, production is expected to be down significantly from last year due to a late freeze, hail damage, and flooding.

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