BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN     November 18, 2009
Provided by: Fruit and Vegetable Market News,
             Federal Market News Service, USDA

Phone: (269)925-3270        Fax: (269)925-3272
   
BR_FV195

APPLES FOR PROCESSING

MICHIGAN – Trading is slow for excess supplies and prices are 
generally trading at established MACMA prices.  However, in some 
cases, Juice Apples have been reported as low as $4.00 per cwt.  

Growers have placed remaining unsold processing apples into storage. 
There is hope among Growers, that Processors will have a need in the 
near future for these storage supplies.  Some Growers have stated that 
with low prices and lack of demand, they may be forced to start 
dumping Juice Apples very soon. 

However, there has been another outlet for excess apples this season. 
In a news release from The Michigan Apple Committee on November 17, 
2009, it was stated that Michigan Apple Growers have donated over 
200,000 pounds of apples to Mid-Michigan Food Banks during the month 
of October.  According to the article, with this year’s record 
production, there is little doubt that more apples will be donated 
during the remainder of the current season.  In past years, Growers 
have donated over one million pounds of apples per year to Food Banks 
of Mid-Michigan according to the article.

The Michigan Processing Apple Growers Division of the Michigan 
Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association (MACMA) and many 
processors have agreed on the following minimum prices per cwt., 
delivered to plant or receiving station for the 2009 crop:

Jonathan           2-1/2 inch & up  10.50
Jonagold & Crispin 2-1/2 inch & up   9.00
Hard varieties     2-1/2 inch & up   8.00
Rome               2-1/2 inch & up   7.00
Soft Varieties     2-1/2 inch & up   6.50
Straight Loads of Juice Apples       5.00
Under 2-1/2” in Peeler  Loads        4.00