09/01/05 Most profitable apple crop ever? Pt.1

Both Washington State and Oregon apple crops are down in size from the previous year due to a variety of weather related conditions. But then again, according to Jim Cranney of the U.S. Apple Association, that is pretty similar to what is happening in other apple growing states. CRANNEY: The Eastern states if you combine the East and the Midwest, they're going to be down actually two per cent less than last year's crop but up a little bit more around six per cent compared to the five year average, so all and all, the Eastern crop is going to be right on target. From a numbers standpoint, U.S.D.A. currently projects apple production for the 2005 crop year at over 234 million bushels. Cranney says U.S. Apple's estimate is less & around 223 million. But both numbers are sizably smaller than the quantity of the 2004 crop. CRANNEY: We're going to have a lighter crop than we did this past year and the crop from this past season is cleaning up very nicely. And I think we are going to have just a fantastic transition between this year's crop and the new year's crop. And just on that alone, Cranney declared at the recent apple industry Outlook 2005 convention in Chicago that the incoming crop could be one of the most profitable ever for growers. After all, a smaller crop is a welcomed sign for growers after a larger than normal crop led to lower prices. Other factors are involved though. More on that in our next program.