In 2022, the Michigan apple crop saw some 32 million bushels of fruit and the 2023 crop looks to be very similar in numbers. “It’s a bountiful crop and sizing appears to be what markets need – with a good mix of consumer package sizes and bulk sizes,” says Trish Taylor, marketing manager for Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc.
Harvest weather conditions in the state have been close to ideal. “Apples have really great color. We typically have great colored fruit in Michigan but there’s something to it this year,” she says. “There’s excellent maturity and even better Brix than last year so I imagine consumers may be even more delighted with flavor profiles.”
While varieties such as Gala, Honeycrisp, McIntosh and Fujis have been harvested, this week Riveridge is picking Red Delicious and will move shortly into Ambrosia. Harvest will finish near the end of the month with Evercrisp and Pink Lady.
Ambrosia apples will be up next for picking in Michigan.
Orchard development
In all, Taylor says it’s seeing the results of the last 10-15 years of refurbishing its orchards, both itself and the growers underneath the Riveridge label. “Now we’re coming into maturity in volumes in varieties consumers consistently buy and newer up-and-coming varieties,” she says.
That includes Ambrosia and Evercrisp. Both varieties will continue to see more volume this year. Given some of these trees were just planted a few years ago, for some Michigan growers, it’s some of their first seasons with contributable volume.
It also offers Michigan growers an opportunity to almost extend the season. “Evercrisp is a Fuji-Honeycrisp hybrid that we keep in storage until January. Honeycrisp needs TLC at harvest but Evercrisp has the heartier attributes of a Fuji. It will mellow just right and January is the perfect winter apple to satisfy those looking for a different, yet similar flavor in the cooler months,” says Taylor.
As for demand, because of the sizable crop across all the growing regions, it’s been steady. “However we haven’t had that cold weather here until recently. We had 90-degree weather up until last weekend and that can reflect in sales simply because consumers aren’t thinking of apples and apple cider just yet,” says Taylor, adding demand will likely pick up in the coming weeks when temperatures start coming down.
Varieties such as Gala (seen here), Honeycrisp, McIntosh and Fujis have been harvested.
Pricing updates
As for pricing, it’s a careful balance given all the growing regions have a good crop. “We’re anticipating being a bit aggressive with pricing on promotions and price points at retail,” she says. “It was a magical apple growing season for volume and flavor and we’ll see how pricing reflects as the year goes.”
While apples will be top of mind for Riveridge when it exhibits at the upcoming Global Produce & Floral Show October 19-21 in Anaheim, California, it has a new refurbished look to its booth, #1475. It will reflect the increasing number of commodities it’s carrying these days. “We’re primarily apple people but the beauty about Michigan is it’s the second most diverse agricultural state in the country behind California so we have a lot of commodities to offer and more growers are coming to us to sell,” says Taylor, noting the booth’s walls for instance will feature sweet cherries, peaches, asparagus, cider and of course apples. The booth will also be complete with a bar for apple cider tastings.
However, the message that Riveridge will also carry throughout the show is one of apples, particularly health. “Apples compete with so many other commodities in the produce section, not to mention inside aisle snacks. So we’re going back to an apple a day takes the doctor away,” says Taylor, noting it will be handing out habit-tracking pads for booth visitors to take and track not only their apple consumption but other healthy habits such as water intake, exercise and more.
For more information:
Trish Taylor
Riveridge Produce
Tel: +1 (616) 887-6873
[email protected]
www.riveridgeproduce.com