Washington state’s apple juice production continues to decline, with this season’s cumulative crush through Jan. 21 at around 99,530 tons, down 18 percent from last season. Washington produces about 40 percent of U.S. apple juice and cider, most of which is marketed as not-from-concentrate. Highlighting consumer interest in fresh but prepared fruit, Washington’s cumulative peeler apple utilization was up 25 percent year over year at around 92,120 tons, reducing the state’s 2017/18 overall processing deficit vs. 2016/17 to just 1 to 2 percent. Although the Washington State Tree Fruit Association currently projects the state’s apple crop this season at 142.3 million 40-lb boxes, up 7 percent from last season, all the increase is going toward fresh market varieties, which offer growers higher pricing. From August through November, U.S. exports of fresh apples were up 15 percent from the same period last season. Exports to Mexico, Washington’s top apple export destination, were up 26 percent.

Washington apple crush for juice, cumulative

Washington Peeler Apple Utilization, Cumulative

Posted by: Information Services
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