U.S. Apple crop estimate closely follows USDA projection

Predicting nearly the same apple production as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Apple Association estimates the 2020 crop at 253.31 million 42-pound cartons.

The association’s estimate is virtually the same as the USDA’s August estimate of 253.57 million cartons and is 3% less than the 2019 crop and 2% less than the five-year average.

In the East, the association’s growers report spring frosts that came to New York’s Hudson Valley and parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia reduced the bloom on many varieties.

The association’s New York crop estimate is 32 million cartons, 3.3% higher than the USDA average, 2% higher than the 2019 crop and 1% above the five-year average. Timing of the New York crop is normal to a few days early, and final crop volume will be determined by sizing, growers said.

The Pennsylvania crop estimate from the association is 8.5 million cartons, off 15% from the USDA August estimate, 30% below the 2019 crop and 29% lower than the five-year average.  Growers reported timing on early varieties there is seven to ten days later than 2019.

The association’s Virgina crop estimate is 3.8 million cartons, virtually unchanged from the USDA’s August estimate, down 16% from a year ago and off 20% from the five-year average. Harvest timing is running approximately seven days later than normal in Virgina, growers said.

In Michigan, the association’s estimate of 22.5 million cartons was 2.7% above the USDA’s August estimate, unchanged from a year ago and 8% below the five-year average. Quality of Michigan apples expected very strong, growers reported.