2008 PEACH FORECAST & FINAL 2007 PEACH and APPLE PRODUCTION
WEST VIRGINIA - The 2008 peach crop is forecast at 5,600 tons, up 33 percent, or 1,400 tons from the 2007 crop, and up 400 tons from the 2006 crop.
In 2007, utilized production totaled 4,000 tons, a decrease of 1,000 tons from 2006. Value of utilized production totaled $3.4 million, an increase of
19 percent from 2006. Bearing acres were estimated at 950, the same as 2006, with an average yield of 4.42 tons per acre. The average price received per ton was estimated at $858.00. This was an increase of $280.00 from 2006.
Total apple production for 2007 was estimated at 80.0 million pounds (1.90 million, 42 lb. bushels), down 11 percent, or 10 million pounds from 2006.
Utilized production totaled 77.0 million pounds, down 11 million pounds from 2006. Apples for fresh market totaled 14.0 million pounds, down 2.0 million pounds from 2006. Apples for processing accounted for 63.0 million pounds of the 2007 crop, 9 million pounds less than the 2006 crop.
The average price received for 2007 apples was 9.6 cents per pound, up 0.4 cents from 2006. Total value of utilized production was $7.4 million for the crop, down $652,000 from the 2006 crop. Fresh market apples brought 18.7 cents per pound in 2007, up 1.4 cents from 2006. Processed apples sold for $152.00 per ton, $5.00 more than in 2006.
The number of bearing acres of apples totaled 5,000 in 2007, unchanged from 2006. The yield per acre was 16,000 pounds, 2,000 pounds less than 2006. The yield was based on total production, which includes unharvested production and fruit harvested but not sold due to marketing conditions.
UNITED STATES - The July 2008 forecast of U.S. peach production is 1.10 million tons, down 3 percent from 2007 but 9 percent above the 2006 crop.
Nineteen of the 28 Freestone peach estimating States expect increases in production from last year, while eight States decreased their production from the previous season, and one State showed no change. Freestone production, at 717,150 tons, is up 15 percent from last season.
The California Clingstone crop is forecast at 380,000 tons, equal to the June 1 forecast but 24 percent below the 2007 crop. California experienced an adequate number of chilling hours, thus benefitting the Clingstone crop.
Weather during the bloom period was also favorable, however, unusually cold temperatures on April 19 and 20 resulted in significant frost damage. The largest impact was reported in the northern growing areas, with some growers reporting 100 percent damage. There were also a large number of growers reporting losses in the Modesto area. However, fruit in the southern growing areas was not affected. The 2008 peach harvest began in Kingsburg on June 18, four days later than last year. Quality was reported to be very good.
The U.S. peach production in 2007 was estimated at 1.13 million tons, up 12 percent from 2006. Of this production, 1.12 million tons were utilized, up
13 percent from 2006. Value of utilized production totaled $504.6 million, down 2 percent from 2006. The average price received for peaches was $452.00 per ton, down $68.00 from 2006.
Total apple production for 2007 totaled 9.11 billion pounds, down 8 percent from 2006. Utilized apple production totaled 9.07 billion pounds, down 7 percent from the 2006 level. Value of utilized production totaled $2.58 billion, up
15 percent from 2006. Price per pound averaged 28.4 cents, up 5.5 cents. A total of 6.1 billion pounds were sold for fresh market, down 4 percent from 2006. There were 2.98 billion pounds for processing, down 13 percent from 2006.
Thanks to the USDA who provided me with the numbers to pass along to you.
Meteorologist Corey Henderson
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