What is the reason for NY apple growers leaving more fruit on trees (AP)?
BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York’s apple orchards are being carpeted with red as unpicked apples drop to the ground. With the best of the crop off to market, growers say this year it’s cheaper to leave leftovers on the trees than to pick and sell them for juice. While that’s happened before, it’s a far cry from last year when growers stripped branches bare and collected top dollar. “There wasn’t an apple left in western New York last year,” said Bruce Kirby, who runs a small orchard in Orleans County. Even the lowly “drops” — apples that fall on their own — were in demand. This year, growers can’t give those away. One reason is an abundant crop, not only in New York but in neighboring Pennsylvania and nearby Michigan, which has produced more second-tier fruit than juice and applesauce makers need and driven down market prices. When labor and transportation costs are factored in, selling anything but the cream of the crop for the supermarket can become a losing proposition. “In some cases it’s
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – New York apple growers say they’re leaving some less-than-perfect apples on the trees because it’s cheaper than picking and shipping them for juice. While that’s happened before, it’s a far cry from last year when growers stripped branches bare and collected top dollar. This season’s abundant crop in New York and elsewhere has produced more second-tier fruit than juice and applesauce makers need and driven down market prices. With labor and transportation costs, selling anything but those good enough for the produce section can be a losing proposition. Last year, growers got an above-average 12-18 cents per pound for processing apples used for sauce and slices. The price is 5 to 8 cents this year and juice apples are bringing in only about 4 cents. Sources: http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?
AP – New York’s apple orchards are being carpeted with red as unpicked apples drop to the ground. » Full Story on Yahoo! News Sources: http://news.yahoo.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York’s apple orchards are being carpeted with red as unpicked apples drop to the ground. With the best of the crop off to market, growers say this year it’s cheaper to leave leftovers on the trees than to pick and sell them for juice. While that’s happened before, it’s a far cry from last year when growers stripped branches bare and collected top dollar. “There wasn’t an apple left in western New York last year,” said Bruce Kirby, who runs a small orchard in Orleans County. Even the lowly “drops” — apples that fall on their own — were in demand. This year, growers can’t give those away. One reason is an abundant crop, not only in New York but in neighboring Pennsylvania and nearby Michigan, which has produced more second-tier fruit than juice and applesauce makers need and driven down market prices. When labor and transportation costs are factored in, selling anything but the cream of the crop for the supermarket can become a losing proposition. “In some cases it’s
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – New York apple growers say they’re leaving some less-than-perfect apples on the trees because it’s cheaper than picking and shipping them for juice. While that’s happened before, it’s a far cry from last year when growers stripped branches bare and collected top dollar. This season’s abundant crop in New York and elsewhere has produced more second-tier fruit than juice and applesauce makers need and driven down market prices. With labor and transportation costs, selling anything but those good enough for the produce section can be a losing proposition. Last year, growers got an above-average 12-18 cents per pound for processing apples used for sauce and slices. The price is 5 to 8 cents this year and juice apples are bringing in only about 4 cents.
