The supply of Pennsylvania apples is more manageable this year than a year ago at this time. "The 2024-2025 national crop of apples is down slightly, and demand has been strong," says Brandon Ruppert of Cohen Produce Marketing.
In terms of varieties, Gala apples are starting to tighten up in the East due to the lack of large sizes while Goldens will finish sooner than usual. "We had a down year with volume so it is not unexpected," says Ruppert. "Honeycrisp and Evercrisp have good demand and the quality has been excellent. Overall the Eastern apple season has been good domestically."
Meanwhile, the demand for Eastern apples has been good during the holiday months. "We're excited to get into January. We hope everyone will be eating healthy to start the new year, and apples have always been a healthy snack the whole family can enjoy," says Ruppert, adding that there will be plenty of Eastern apple supply to choose from in retail stores.
Stronger pricing for apples
As for pricing, it's been higher than a year ago for most varieties.
While the domestic picture is positive, exporting apples has been trickier. "Exporting Eastern apples has been complicated ever since the October port strike. The timing was very critical, as we spent August and September gearing up for the export volume, only to have the strike shut things down," says Ruppert.
Even though the length of the strike itself was short, it affected vessel schedules and the feeder boat network throughout the region and caused delays through the holidays. "With the uncertain supply and shipping schedule, some of our normal overseas markets were taking their business to the European apple crop. Some of that business has not come back," says Ruppert. "With the temporary contract extension that was negotiated in October ending in January, we are having the same "what will happen" uncertainties we had in September. We just need to wait and see how it goes."
For more information:
Brandon Ruppert
Cohen Produce Marketing
Tel: +1 (717) 975-9111
[email protected]
http://www.cohenproduce.com/