E-mail: nass-ny@nass.usda.gov
(518) 457-5570

Released August 14, 2006

Seasonal
No. 975-4-06

www.nass.usda.gov/ny/

GRAPES

Grape production in New York is expected to total 160 thousand tons, according to grower’s reports.  This represents a 10 percent decrease from a year ago.  Lake Erie growers overall were predicting an average to below average crop.  The Chautauqua area of grapes unfortunately encountered a larger percentage of grape damage than other areas.  Many growers reported the April frost to be a factor in lower yield.  The frost killed the crop for growers, if not reducing their crops by 50 percent of production or more.  However, due to the scattered frost affect, some growers were able to avoid the detrimental frosts. Growing conditions are good, but so far diseases like mildew, black rot, and downy mildew have been high because of the humid weather.

Growers in the Finger Lakes region received very little winter damage and growers were reporting a moderate to full crop. There has been lots of rain which has increased berry sizes, but also increased mildew pressure.  Many vineyards were in need of leaf hedging and trimming due to excessive rains received which caused rapid growth.  The berries looked full and in great condition.  Most vineyards experienced excellent growing conditions, but a bad year for mildews.

Long Island grape production is indicated to be average to slightly above average for the August forecast.  Some growers reported a very rainy season with weed and disease pressure high.  Some farmers had difficulties trying to keep up with trimming in the vineyards.

U.S. grape production is forecast at 6.72 million tons, down14 percent from 2005 but 8 percent above the 2004 season. California leads the U.S. in grape production with 90  percent of the total. Washington and New York are the next largest producing States, with 5 percent and 2 percent, respectively. California’s all grape forecast, at 6.04 million tons, is up 1 percent from the July forecast but 13 percent below 2005. Washington growers expect to harvest 350,000 tons, down 16 percent from 2005.

TOTAL GRAPE PRODUCTION, SELECTED STATES

PEARS

Production prospects in New York on August 1 were for a crop of 13.0 thousand tons, up 53 percent from the production level in 2005.  U.S. production is forecast at 835.3 thousand tons, up 1 percent from last year but 5 percent below 2004.

TOTAL PEAR PRODUCTION, SELECTED STATES

State	2004	2005	2006
	Tons
New York	16,500	8,500	13,000
Connecticut	900	1,000	1,100
Michigan	3,460	2,000	3,400
Pennsylvania	4,500	2,100	5,200
Bartlett	457,000	391,000	425,000
Other varieties	393,000	418,000	385,000
United States 1/	878,260	825,325	835,310
1/  Includes states not shown above.

PEACHES

New York's 2006 peach crop is forecast at 6,000 tons, up 41 percent  from  the  2005  total.  The U.S. Freestone crop is forecast at 1.05 billion pounds, down 11 percent from 2005 and 19 percent below two years ago.

TOTAL PEACH PRODUCTION, SELECTED STATES

State	2004	2005	2006	2004	2005	2006
	Tons			1,000 48-pound equivalents
New York 1/	6,000	4,250	6,000	125	89	125
Michigan	18,700	14,000	14,000	390	292	292
New Jersey	32,500	35,000	36,000	677	729	750
Pennsylvania	23,000	26,600	28,500	479	554	594
United States 2/	1,307,110	1,184,550	1,053,800	27,231	24,678	21,954
1/  Estimates for current year carried forward from earlier forecast. 2/  National total includes amounts for other states not listed,.

APPLES

Apple production in New York is forecast at 1.10 billion pounds based on conditions as of August 1, according to the USDA, NASS, New York Field Office.  This is 6 percent above the 1.04 billion pounds produced last year.  Across the state, growers were experiencing overall above average fruit conditions.  An early May frost occurred causing some damage to susceptible varieties.  Most growers reported a decent production due to the plentiful rain, but more scab this year due to the hot humid weather also received.  In the Lake Ontario fruit region, growers reported a good looking apple crop.  The weather currently has been abundant in rain and apples are large in size.  The fruit observed also had a small apple scab problem.

In the Hudson Valley region, growers reported a pretty good year for apples so far.  Some growers’ orchards were hit by hailstorms and rainstorms, but the apples were not damaged too bad.

Growers in the Lake Champlain fruit region reported a lower apple yield due to a poor pollination season because of too much rain.  Growers also reported apples looking scabbed.

The first U.S. apple production forecast for the 2006 crop year is 9.62 billion pounds, down 2 percent from last year and 8 percent below 2004. Compared to 2005, production decreases in the Central and Western States offset a projected increase in the Eastern States.

TOTAL APPLE PRODUCTION:  Selected States and United States

Variety	Million pounds			1,000 42-pound equivalents
	2004	2005	2006	2004	2005	2005
New York	1,280.0	1,040.0	1,100.0	30,476	24,762	26,190
California	355.0	355.0	360.0	8,452	8,452	8,571
Michigan	730.0	780.0	680.0	17,381	18,571	16,190
New England	163.2	115.1	122.2	3,886	2,740	2,910
Ohio	90.0	99.0	104.0	2,143	2,357	2,476
Pennsylvania	405.0	515.0	450.0	9,643	12,262	10,714
Virginia	300.0	280.0	260.0	7,143	6,666	6,190
Washington	6,150.0	5,800.0	5,600.0	146,429	138,095	133,333
United States 1/	10.440.6	9,864.9	9,619.7	248,586	234,879	229,040
1/  National total includes amounts for other states not listed.