About five weeks before apple harvest will begin in Michigan, we’re happy to say that earlier predictions about the 2014 apple crop have come true:  Very comparable to last year.

Of course, because this is agriculture and weather is involved no two years are exactly the same.

Weather recap.  The month of June was warm with plentiful rain, both of which lay the framework for large-size apples at harvest.  The warm temps also helped growers do a good job of thinning the tiny apples to match the demands of our markets in the coming weeks and months.

Riveridge growers report that apples will be of comparable size to 2013, with slightly larger Galas, Golden Delicious and Fujis due to the improved weather.

We anticipate having larger quantities of Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji and Honeycrisp apples.  Overall, Michigan estimates 30 to 32 million bushels.

Thus far in July, temperatures have been in the 70s and 80s, and rainfall has continued to be plentiful.  The fruit itself is very clean on the trees, and will have a high pack-out rate.

Not a limb-buster.  Although 2013 and 2014 crop volume will be at least 50 percent above Michigan’s five-year production average, neither year has been a so-called limb-buster. 

With more bearing surface coming into production for Riveridge growers, we have yet to see the full potential crop in Michigan.  Stay tuned . . .

Michigan temperatures will be in the 80s each day this week, up from earlier in July.  Riveridge is forecasting a first-ship date of late August on Paula Reds.  Click here for our entire 2014 Harvest Schedule.
 
See you in Chicago
Riveridge will again participate in the Midwest Produce Expo at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago on August 12.  See you there!

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Sincerely,
 

         Don Armock                    Dawn Geers                 Rog Geers          
Brian Johnson                          Melissa Dubridge                    Russell Comport