Fresh Apple Movement Accelerates in March

Vienna, VA. - The rate at which fresh apples are moving out of the storage across the country continues to surpass levels seen last year, and the five-year average, according to the latest nationwide survey of apple storage facilities conducted by the U.S. Apple Association (USApple). Total fresh movement in March was 21 percent above last year's levels and 5 percent better than the five-year average. The strong movement is attributed to greater supplies of fresh apples and continued strong demand this season.

"This season's crop is turning out to be one of the highest quality crops in recent years," noted USApple Vice President Jim Cranney. "We are hearing reports that U.S. apples are crunchier and sweeter than normal. There also appears to be plenty of supply available for late season promotions."

Fresh apple movement for March was pegged at almost 13.1 million bushels; during the same period in 2004 movement was reported at 10.8 million bushels. When processing apples are included, total March 2005 movement of apples of 20.5 million bushels was up 18 percent from movement in 2004, and 5 percent above the five-year average for March movement, USApple's survey found.

March 2005 movement of processing apples of 7.4 million bushels was 14 percent above 2004 movement, and 5 percent higher than the five-year average for March movement.

Still, despite the strong demand for apples, there are still plenty to go around. Total U.S. holdings of fresh and processing apples on April 1, 2005, were 67.8 million bushels, a 36 percent increase from holdings on April 1, 2004, and 21 percent higher than the five-year average of 56.2 million bushels. U.S. fresh holdings on April 1, 2005 totaled 45 million bushels, an increase of 41 percent above last year and 22 percent above the five-year average. Total processing apple holdings as of April 1, 2005, were 22.8 million bushels, 27 percent higher than on April 1, 2004, and 19 percent above the five-year average for that date.

Regionally, fresh holdings in the Northeast were 3.6 million bushels on April 1, 2005, a 6 percent decrease from holdings on April 1, 2004, but 11 percent higher than the five-year average for that date. Southeast fresh holdings were 38 percent lower than the previous year, and 37 percent below the five-year average for that date. The Midwest reported April 1 fresh holdings at 1.8 million bushels, down 25 percent as compared to holdings on April 1, 2004, and 10 percent lower than the five-year average. Fresh-market apples in storage in the Southwest on April 1, 2005, totaled 90,346 bushels, a 402 percent increase compared to that date in 2004. However, Southwest holdings were 21 percent lower than the five-year average. Northwest April 1, 2005, fresh holdings were 39.5 million bushels, 55 percent higher than on April 1, 2004, and 25 percent above the five-year average for that date.

Fresh Holdings by Variety
Fresh-market Red Delicious holdings were reported at 18.5 million bushels on April 1, 2005, a 40 percent increase from 2004, but 1 percent less than the five-year average. Fresh Golden Delicious holdings of 7.2 million bushels were up 61 percent from 2004, and 19 percent higher than the five-year average for that date.

Fresh Granny Smith holdings of 5.3 million bushels on April 1, 2005, were up 39 percent from 2004, and 57 percent over the five-year average. Fresh Fuji holdings of 5.1 million bushels were up 64 percent over last year, and 65 percent above the five-year average. Fresh Gala holdings were 2.5 million bushels, up 58 percent from 2004 levels, and 137 percent greater than the five-year average. McIntosh holdings were up 8 percent from 2004, and up 37 percent from the five-year average. Fresh Empire holdings were down 34 percent from 2004 levels, and 17 percent below the five-year average.

Note: The text of this release can be downloaded from the News Releases section of USApple's Media Web site, at http://www.usapple.org/media/newsreleases/index.shtml.

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional apple associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 400 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple's mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.