THE APPLE MARKETS FROM 1967 THROUGH 1982, LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY 



William J. Lord 

 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 



We have summarized yearly since 1967 the apple production in 

 the United States and in Massachusetts, and the F.O.B. prices at 

 Country Shipping Points in Massachusetts for 120 counts, U.S. 

 Fancy or better Mcintosh apples^. This information, which is pre- 

 sented in Table 1, indicates some of the factors that affect the 

 profitability of a marketing season. 



Marketing Seasons 



1967-68 and 1968-69 . Nationally these were "short" crop 

 years and prices for Massachusetts grown apples were good. The 

 fruit were in good condition and the demand for CA Mcintosh was 

 strong. 



1969-70 . The national crop was the second largest in 30 

 years'^ This contributed to lower wholesale prices for Massachusetts- 

 grown apples than for the 2 preceding marketing seasons. Apple 

 growers in the western states of the U.S. produced about 17 million 

 more bushels in 1969 than in 1968 but received $41 million less 

 for their crop2. In Massachusetts, "Soft Mcintosh Problem" was 

 encountered after CA storage and wholesale prices remained low for 

 the entire season. 



1970-71 . The hot summer and fall reduced fruit quality in New 

 England, Appalachia and Hudson Valley and many growers had low pack- 

 outs because of poor fruit color and condition. In Massachusetts 

 the returns for the large sizes of Delicious were better than in 

 1969-70 and prices for CA Mcintosh finished strong. 



1971-72 . The 3rd consecutive national crop greater than 50 

 million was produced. U.S. growers asked the Secretary of Agri- 

 culture to appoint a team to study the marketing problems of the 

 apple industry because of low net returns during these years. (A 

 report of the team's findings with their recommendations as to 

 needed action was published in 1972. The team did an excellent 

 job of identifying the marketing problems of the apple industry, 

 most of which still persist.) 



Slow color development in Massachusetts delayed the harvest 

 and marketing season and resulted in the harvest of too many large, 

 soft, poorly colored apples. Massachusetts growers harvested 



1 



Taken from the Special Apple Market Report published by the Division 

 of Markets, 100 Cambridge St., Boston, MA. 

 2 

 The Good Fruit Grower, Sept. 15, 1970. 



