News and Stories

Apples are currently available in California, Michigan, New York, and Washington. Ample supplies of Washington Markon First Crop Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, and Braeburn stocks are available. New crop harvesting is underway and will run through early November. Quality is excellent; 100- through 138-count sizes dominate the crop. 

California

• Adequate supplies of Fuji and Granny Smith apples remain available; Fuji shipments will end in late October, while Granny Smith shipments will continue through November 
• Gala stocks are limited to 113–count and smaller sizes; this variety will be depleted in the next several weeks
• Pink Lady apples will be available through mid-November

Michigan

• Harvests will end in late October
• Large sizes (80- and 88-count fruit) dominate the crop
• Small sizes (100-count and smaller) will be comparable to last season 
• 2015-2016 crop estimates are approximately 10% below last year; 24 million bushels are expected to be shipped this season versus 27 million in 2014-2015
• Apples size is increasing; late-summer sunlight is producing deep color

New York

• Harvesting remains underway and will continue through early November (the normal schedule for the East Coast)  
• Size profile is in the mid-range; the crop will be dominated by 88- and 100-count sizes
• The 2015-2016 crop estimates are approximately 10% lower than the 2014-2015 season; freeze damage during the winter months and spring frost reduced yields 

Washington

• Estimates released by Washington's apple industry indicate the 2015-2016 apple crop will be approximately 14% lower than last year (which was the third largest in the state's history); nearly 125 million bushels are forecast to ship this season versus 140 million in 2014-2015
• Growers typically ship approximately 130 million bushels in a normal year
• Last year was above normal because the crop was dominated by large-size fruit
• Normal numbers are predicted for this season (120-130 million bushels) because the general crop profile is smaller
• Record high summer temperatures, drought, and hail storms have all played roles in the reduced volume
• 2015-2016 FOB prices are expected to be higher on average as compared to last year
• 2014-2015 apple prices were lower due to the record crop, fewer exports from the West Coast ports, and the closure of the Russian market
• The 2015-2016 crop will be dominated by 100- to 125-count fruit (foodservice sizes)  

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2015 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.