Michigan Apples score another record week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Denise Donohue
(800) 456-2753
(DeWitt, Mich.) – As Michigan Apple shipments continue at a record pace, industry leaders are projecting that overall October movement will likely hit an all-time high.
According to figures from the USDA, Michigan had the best third week of October since 1980. So far, three separate weeks of October have exceeded 320,000 cases of fresh apples sold – a phenomenal start to the season, according to Denise Donohue, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee.
There were more than 321,000 cases of Michigan Apples moved for the week ending Oct. 24. This announcement comes just weeks after the state recorded its best September start in over a decade, with 990,000 cases of fresh apples shipped throughout the month.
“We also set an all-time record for any week of any year, the week ending Oct. 11 when we shipped 372,000 cases,” said Donohue. “If movement continues as strong as we've seen it lately, it's safe to say we're on track for another record-breaking month.”
Michigan is estimated to produce about 27 million bushels of apples this year, about 40 percent above its five-year average. Harvest is running about a week behind, with some of the later season commercial varieties like Ida Red, Fuji and Braeburn yet to be picked.
The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to promotion, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan Apple and encourage its consumption by consumers in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit MichiganApples.com.