New crop apples start with prices expected to drop

The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) predicts the 2023-2024 apple crop will be up as much as 28%, compared to the 2022-2023 season.

Washington

– The WSTFA projects approximately 134 million cases (40-pound packs) will be shipped during the 2023-2024 season, up from nearly 104 million cases in 2022-2023

– The ample supply expectation for 2023-2024 follows last year’s short season, that was hindered by cold, rainy, and snowy weather during the growing process

– Suppliers saw yearly averages of approximately 120 million cases prior to last year’s short crop

– Expect level or below-average markets depending on variety

Michigan

– Growers saw a record-setting crop in 2022-2023, at nearly 32.4 million bushels (40-pound packs) harvested; ideal weather conditions in spring and summer 2022 bolstered the crop

– Currently, Michigan apple growers aren’t expecting another record year, but are expecting close to 90% of last year’s crop total

– Average seasonal yields prior to last season’s record crop were at 24 million bushels

– Markets will ease once the new crop season is in full swing in September