“This year there were plenty of apples harvested—Red Delicious for example is up 18 percent over last year and pretty much all varieties are tracking at the same or more than they were a year ago,” says David Henze of Holtzinger Fruit Co. in Yakima, Wa. “Overall we have a bit more supply than demand in the past, so prices have come down. Fortunately, we’re seeing a little bit of a rebound.”
Market firming up
The strengthening in global demand is keeping prices slightly up over where it was a year ago. “Premium Red Delicious are holding in the teens but we expect to see them move up over the next few weeks. This firming up of the market will get us back to our original projections,” says Henze.
Overseas demand for Red Delicious still grows
Market firming up
The strengthening in global demand is keeping prices slightly up over where it was a year ago. “Premium Red Delicious are holding in the teens but we expect to see them move up over the next few weeks. This firming up of the market will get us back to our original projections,” says Henze.
Overseas demand for Red Delicious still grows
Meanwhile demand is not bad. “The US demand for Red Delicious is down, so most red delicious go export where demand continues to grow. We’re finding pretty much the other varieties the demand is holding up,” Henze says, noting popular regions for Red Delicious exports include India and Asia. “There’s always demand for Honey Crisp and the industry had a lot of bitter pit earlier this year so that may be a variety with more demand than supply until we harvest again.” Honey Crisps along with Gala and other managed varieties seem to continue to take the place of Red Delicious. “In the US, people seem to like the newer, sweeter apples better,” adds Henze.
Looking ahead, Henze suspects they may not see the large end of season swing that they have in years past with pricing. “In the past we’ve seen stronger increases at the end of the year as the storage supply decreases” he says. “I think demand and resulting pricing will remain firm until the next harvest but we always hope for a bit higher.”
For more information:
Dave Henze
Holtzinger Fruit Company
+1 509 457 5115
henzed@holtzingerfruit.com
www.holtzingerfruit.com
Looking ahead, Henze suspects they may not see the large end of season swing that they have in years past with pricing. “In the past we’ve seen stronger increases at the end of the year as the storage supply decreases” he says. “I think demand and resulting pricing will remain firm until the next harvest but we always hope for a bit higher.”
For more information:
Dave Henze
Holtzinger Fruit Company
+1 509 457 5115
henzed@holtzingerfruit.com
www.holtzingerfruit.com