New York Apple, Peach, Pear and Grape Crops Projected Lower

Tag : peach
New York Apple, Peach, Pear and Grape Crops Projected Lower
New York Ag Connection - 08/13/2008

Total apple production in New York is forecast at 1.15 billionpounds based on conditions as of August 1, according to StephenRopel, director of the USDA'S National Agricultural StatisticsService, New York Field Office. This is 12 percent below the 1.31billion pounds produced last year.

Across the state, growers were expecting an average to belowaverage fruit crop due to this year's weather conditions. A hailstorm on June 16th caused widespread damage from Lake Ontario tothe Hudson Valley. While the hail has reduced the quality of thecrop, and some fruit will now be left on the trees, totalproduction shows a crop in line with the five-year average.

In the Lake Ontario fruit region, very few growers were spared fromhail storms. Wayne County was especially hard hit. Much of thefresh fruit crop is now only acceptable in the processing market. Afew growers indicated that frost early in the season also reducedthe crop. In the Hudson Valley fruit region, reports indicate agood crop size, but a large percentage of the crop has been damagedby hail. The quality is low, and many growers are hoping to selltheir apples for processing. Frost was an issue for some growersearly in the season. Growers in the Lake Champlain fruit regionalso reported hail storms.

The first U.S. apple production forecast for the 2008 crop year is9.17 billion pounds, slightly more than the 2007 crop and 7 percentbelow 2006. Multiple spring freezes and summer hailstorms damagedorchards across the nation, however, trees in most areas of theU.S. experienced a recovery from the devastating growing weather in2007.

Grape production in New York is expected to total 165 thousandtons, according to growers' reports. This represents an 8 percentdecrease from a year ago. Grape growers in Erie County experiencedhard frosts in April and May. Many growers will have a reduced cropdue to the frost, while some growers are reporting a total loss. Afew growers also experienced hail and lots of rain. The Chautauquaregion encountered some early frost and hail damage, but not assevere as Erie County. Some growers are still feeling the effectsof last year's dry conditions. Many growers reported good weatherconditions and adequate rainfall. Some growers are concerned therehas been too much rain. The wet conditions have increased mildewgrowth, but growers are keeping it under control with fungicidesprays.

Beetles have been reported as a problem in a few vineyards. Growersin the Finger Lakes region were also hit with frost and hail. Amid-July hail storm caused significant damage around Keuka Lake.Minor insect problems have been reported in this region. Growersnot hit by hail are reporting a good fruit set and a rapid growingseason. Long Island grape production is indicated to be aboveaverage for the August forecast. A couple producers had spottyfrost, but overall, growers reported very good conditions withhealthy looking grapes.

U.S. grape production is forecast at 7.20 million tons, up 3percent from 2007 and 13 percent above the 2006 season. Californialeads the U.S. in grape production with 89 percent of the total.Washington and New York are the next largest producing States, with5 percent and 2 percent, respectively. California's all grapeforecast, at 6.40 million tons, is up 6 percent from the Julyforecast and 3 percent above 2007. Washington growers expect toharvest 375,000 tons, virtually unchanged from a year ago.

Production prospects in New York on August 1 were for a crop of9.70 thousand tons, down 12 percent from the production level in2007. U.S. production is forecast at 822 thousand tons, down 6percent from last year and 2 percent below 2006.

New York's 2008 peach crop is forecast at 5,700 tons, down 10percent from the 2007 total. The August 2008 forecast of U.S. peachproduction is 1.09 million tons, down less than 1 percent from theJuly 1 forecast and 3 percent below 2007.

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