RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia’s commercial apple production is forecast at 220 million pounds this year, down 5 million pounds from 2017.
“The apple crop experienced some freezing weather this spring which caused minor damage to apples,” said Herman Ellison. “By Aug. 5, the apple crop was in mostly good condition and 27 percent of the crop had been harvested.”
United States apple production for the 2018 crop year is forecast at 11.5 billion pounds, up slightly from 2017.
The Virginia grape production for the 2018 season is forecast at 8,500 tons, down 310 tons from last season’s final production. “The grape crop experienced some freeze events this spring and some rainy weather during bloom which caused variable damage to the crop,” Ellison said. “Grape crop condition was rated mostly good to fair.”
United States grape production for 2018 is forecast at 7.66 million tons, up 4 percent from last year.
Virginia’s peach production is forecast at 4,100 tons, down 2,900 tons from last season’s final production. “The peach crop experienced a few freeze events this spring which caused damage to some of the peach crop,” Ellison said. “By August 5, the peach crop was 50 percent harvested, 6 percent behind this time last year.”
United States peach production is forecast at 732,050 tons, up 5 percent from 2017.
“Thanks to all the farmers for taking time to complete the surveys,” Ellison said.
— USDA NASS