Virginia apple producers expecting strong prices

RICHMOND—The Virginia apple industry has had to struggle over the past several years. Overseas markets put a strain on growers who couldn’t compete with producers in China and South America.

This year, it is a different story. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has predicted an apple crop that is up 1 percent this year compared to that of 2007. Still, the nation’s top three apple-producing states are seeing apple production drop.

“The big three are New York, Michigan and Washington,” said Spencer Neale, a commodity and marketing specialist for the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “Those states have seen production drop significantly this year due to weather problems. So this means good news for our growers since demand is so high globally and there isn’t a lot of carry-over crop from last year. Demand was good last year, but with the top three states being hit so hard by damage and crop loss, we are going to see a really good pricing year.”

Although Virginia has suffered through a dry summer, Neale says the apple crop looks promising.

“Our overall crop will be down this year, but what is on the trees looks good, despite the lack of rain in the growing season.”

This year, American farmers have seen export demand rise for all fruit.

“The hardest part for our growers is that, despite strong prices, many are dealing with higher input costs this year,” including fuel and fertilizer, Neale said. “It is all relative after you factor in that.”

Harvest season for Virginia apples began in late August and will run through December.

Source:  Virginia Farm Bureau

Fall for the Colors of Greene
Table of Contents      Calendar       Index

Back to top 
Go to Virginia Greene          Go to Greene Lite

Fall for the Colors of Greene
Table of Contents

Fall for the Colors of Greene Calendar

 Fall for the Colors of Greene Index
 

Back to top 
Go to Virginia Greene          Go to Greene Lite