Global demand for Washington apples is strong this season despite having its second-largest crop on record and contending with higher volumes from rival North American growing regions.
Shipments are slightly ahead of last year’s pace, at 45.2 per cent of the total crop versus 44 per cent in 2013, according to industry figures.
“Even with New York and Michigan back in a big way, we have a very manageable apple crop on our hands this season,” Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission, told Fruitnet. “Since the beginning of the year, Fob prices have firmed up and we’re shipping good volume to both domestic and export markets.”
Fryhover attributes the continued strong global demand for Washington apples to the introduction of new varieties and improved technology in handling.
However, the size and colour of the Red Delicious crop this season has dented volumes to and returns from the Indian market this season.
According to industry figures, India’s year-to-date imports of Washington apples are lower by nearly 20 per cent compared to last season.
“The large size curve for Red Delicious is not particularly friendly to important export markets such as India,” said Fryhover.
China – another important Red Delicious market for Washington – continues to be off limits for all US apples due to alleged phytosanitary issues.
The Indonesian market has rebounded, though, after imports fell from 2.4m cartons in 2011/12 to 1.3m last year. As of the beginning of February, year-to-date shipments were up by 36 per cent to more than 688,000 cartons.
