Vienna, VA — The outlook for the marketing of the 2005 apple crop is positive, according to the U.S. Apple Association (USApple), the national trade association for the apple industry. Tighter supply coupled with high quality fruit sets the stage for what looks to be a good year for most of the apple industry.

Total U.S. holdings of fresh and processing apples on Nov. 1, 2005, were 147.5 million bushels, a 10 percent decrease from the level of apples in storage at the same time a year ago, USApple found in its November survey of apple storage facilities across the country. The holdings for Nov. 1, 2005, were smaller than five of the last 10 crop years for which such data was available (see graph).

"The industry is off to a great start with the 2005 crop," said James Cranney, Jr., vice president of USApple. "The smaller total holdings offer an excellent opportunity for the industry. With a tighter supply and excellent quality apples, it promises to be a successful year for apple growers and packers."

The number of apples in storage as of November 1 does surpass the 2003 levels, primarily because Washington state produced an unusually light crop that year, USApple noted.

U.S. fresh-market apple holdings of 100.5 million bushels were 7 percent less than November 2004 holdings, while total processing apple holdings as of Nov. 1, 2005, were 47.1 million bushels, down 16 percent from 2004, according to the November survey.

On a regional basis, fresh holdings in the Northeast were 9.5 million bushels, a decrease of 14 percent from holdings on Nov. 1, 2004, and 6 percent less than the five-year average for that date. Southeast fresh holdings were 1.6 million bushels, down 2 percent from holdings on Nov. 1, 2004, and 8 percent more than the five-year average for that date.

In the Midwest, Nov. 1, 2005, fresh holdings were 6.3 million bushels, up 4 percent as compared to holdings on Nov. 1, 2004, and up 1 percent as compared to the five-year average. Fresh-market apples in storage on Nov. 1, 2005, were 23 percent lower in the Southwest than on that date in 2004, and 39 percent lower than the five-year average.

Fresh holdings in the Northwest were reported at 82.1 million bushels, 7 percent lower than on Nov. 1, 2004.

On a varietal basis, Nov. 1, 2005, fresh Red Delicious holdings were nearly 33.6 million bushels, an 8 percent decrease compared to Nov. 1, 2004. Fresh Golden Delicious holdings of 14.7 million bushels were down 2 percent from holdings on Nov. 1, 2004.

Fresh Granny Smith holdings of 12.7 million bushels increased 3 percent as compared to holdings on that date last year. Fresh McIntosh holdings of 2.4 million bushels on Nov. 1, 2005, were down 26 percent from the previous year.

Fresh Fuji holdings of 10.6 million bushels on Nov. 1, 2005, were down 14 percent from the previous year. Fresh Gala holdings of 12 million bushels were down 4 percent from holdings on Nov. 1, 2004. Fresh Empire holdings of 2.1 million bushels on Nov. 1, 2005, decreased 13 percent as compared to last year's holdings on that date.

The text of this release can be downloaded from the News Releases section of USApple's Media Web site, at http://www.usapple.org/media/newsreleases/index.cfm

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 36 state and regional apple associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 300 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple's mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.