August, 1999
Strong marketing, later summer fruit fuels increased
apple movement
Movement of U.S. apples from storage to market maintained its strong pace
during June, beating the market's performance in June of last year as well
as for the five-year average for the month, according to the U.S. Apple
Association (USApple).
According to a nationwide survey of U.S. apple storage facilities released
July 8 by USApple, 12.7 million bushels of apples moved out of storage in
June which is 10% more than June 1998 and 22% more than the five-year average
for the month.
Movement of fresh-market apples from storage in June was 8.8 million bushels,
a 13% increase compared to June 1998 and a 9% increase over the five-year
average for the month. Movement of fresh-market apples out of controlled
atmosphere (CA) storage was 13% greater than during June 1998 and 8% greater
than the five-year average.
"Apple sales benefited from stepped-up retail promotions and increased
consumer advertising by the Washington state industry and delayed shipments
of summer fruits to retailers," said Jim Cranney, Jr., USApple vice
president of industry services, who oversees the monthly survey and its
analysis.
On a regional basis, fresh apple movement in the East reflected dwindling
supplies of a short 1999 New England crop and lighter fresh-market supplies
from New York state. Movement of Northeast apples was down 61% from June
1998. Meanwhile, fresh-apple movement during June in the Northwest was up
30% over June 1998, and up 4% from June 1997.
As of July 1, 17.3 million bushels of 1998-crop apples remained in storage,
15% above the level in storage on July 1, 1998, and 19% above the five-year
average for that date. CA holdings of 16.9 million bushels on July 1 were
16% higher than holdings in storage on July 1, 1998.
Total fresh-apple holdings on July 1 of 13.1 million bushels were 18% above
holdings on July 1, 1998, but were 11% lower than holdings on July 1, 1997.
