11/16/05 Good apple year confirmed?

The reports about this year's apple crop both nationwide and in the Northwest have been consistent since September. So says Shannon Shaffer of the U.S. Apple Association. SCHAFFER: I think the report that came out really meshes with what we've heard which is where looking a little bit smaller crop this year. We're seeing fewer apples but a great quality apple that is coming out of all the markets especially the Northwest. That is the gist of U.S. Apple's November national crop report which states holdings of fresh and processed apples from this year's crop at over 147 million bushels. So why the decrease in crop holdings over last year? SCHAFFER: A lot of different reasons for that around the country. Everything from changes in trees to weather issues in different parts of the country. So it makes since as we go into the marketing year as we start marketing these apples, we've got less in storage. We've got about a ten per cent decrease from 2004. And blame a light decrease in Northwest crop production as a big reason for the national decrease. But Schaffer says there should be no worries for apple growers. In his opinion, the crop size is just right for a profitable season. SCHAFFER: Hopefully we will be able to with the quality apple crop that we have now, we'll be able to keep demand very strong and growers and packers and shippers will be able to see some good prices, and it should end up being a very good year for the apple industry.