in producing apples for fresh use. The State of Washington is 

 a typical example. During the period 1958-1959, 90 percent of 

 the apples produced in Washington were Winesaps or Delicious. 

 These varieties are not well suited to processing hut, in most 

 consuming areas, are prized as fresh fruit. 



Table 6. Percentage of Total Apple Production Used Fresh in 

 Various Regions of the United States 



Source: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Statistics. 



Consumption 



Per capita consumption of apples has declined considerahly during 

 the past 40 years. During this period total per capita consumption of 

 apples (farm weight equivalent) dropped 50 percent. The decrease has 

 heen cause for considerahle alarm in the apple industry although a con- 

 tinuing expansion of population has prevented a sharp decline in the 

 market for apples. The chances seem slight for suhstantially increasing 

 tli€ per capita consumption of apples in the near future. During the 

 1920's and 1930's apples were hought in large quantities and stored 

 fresh (or canned at home) for winter consumption when few fresh fruit 

 alternatives were available. As stated previously, recent technological 

 advances in production, transportation, and handling now make it 

 possible for many other fresh fruits to compete with apples during 

 winter months. There is no indication of a lessening of this competi- 

 tion, nor of a drastic shift in consumers' tastes in favor of apples. Not- 

 withstanding, even a maintenance of present consumption levels will 

 require an expansion of production which has yet to occur. With the 

 current annual rate of population increase at al)out 2,500,000, apple 

 production would have to increase roughly 1.3 million bushels per year 

 to maintain present consumption levels. 



Per Capita Consumption Declining 



The decline in total per capita consumption of apples has been due 

 entirely to a decreasing rate of fresh consumption. The per capita con- 

 sumption of processed apples has increased during this time period. 

 Relevant to the last fact, the increase in processed consumption may be 

 a mere change in accounting. During earlier periods the large quanti- 

 ties of apples purchased for home canning are recorded as fresh sales. 

 Today, most of the canning is done commercially and consumption is 

 recorded as processed. 



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