12- 



reason these large crops were manageable was the strengthening of 

 the export market. Market opportunities developed in the Middle 

 East, Latin America, and the Far East. In 1979-80, U.S. apple 

 exports reached 12.4 million bushels. In the 1960's the U.S. was 

 exporting only about 2 million bushels, with Canada taking close 

 to half of those. 



1 980-81 . The U.S. apple industry encountered an oversupply 

 due to a national crop in excess of 210 million bushels. However, 

 the crop size in Massachusetts was similar to that of the previous 

 year. The harvested fruit was small in some Massachusetts orchards 

 due to dry weather. The season was 10-14 days late but rain did 

 not interfere with harvest. 



Apple prices were quite favorable for 120 count Mcintosh in 

 September (approximately $11.00) but they declined to about $9.00 

 by early December. Basically, the poor movement and decline in 

 prices was caused by the supply pressure from Michigan and Washing- 

 ton. The prices for 120 counts increased $0.50 with the opening 

 of CA storages but remained at this level for the remainder of 

 the marketing season. 



1981-82 . It was estimated that the New England apple crop 

 would be 201 less than in 1980. Massachusetts experienced a 

 freeze on April 22 and most orchards had poor pollinating weather 

 at bloom. Thus, few orchardists had a large crop. 



New York state apple crop decreased from 26 million in 1980 

 to about 19 million in 1981. Production also decreased in Mich- 

 igan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 



Prices for U.S. Extra Fancy Mcintosh 120 count started at 

 $11.00 in September, increased to $12.25 in October and $13.25 

 in December. Mcintosh were scarce in April and CA Mcintosh fin- 

 ished in middle May at $14.75 for 120 counts. 



The large Washington state crop and small fruit size hurt 

 the New England's bagged Delicious market. The Washington crop 

 suppressed sales in the 1982 crop of Paulared. 



1982-85 . Less apples were harvested than anticipated because 

 of the presence of small, seedless fruits on trees in many Massa- 

 chusetts orchards. Fruit color developed rapidly in late August 

 and Friday prior to Labor Day (Sept. 3) some growers picked Mcin- 

 tosh apples for CA storage. Unfortunately, color developed slowly 

 thereafter. The early market in September was "soft" in Massa- 

 chusetts because of carry-over of the 1981 Washington crop. The 

 carry-over hurt the sales of Paulared and September sales of 

 Mcintosh. 



This and other factors including a large national crop of 

 apples and oranges, poor fruit color, and storage disorders were 



