01/27/05 Apple crop valued at one-billion plus

Washington Ag January 27, 2005 Washington's 2004 apple crop is estimated at 5.9 billion pounds. Pasons: "That's about one pound for every man, woman and child in the world." And that's Joe Parsons, deputy director of the Washington Agricultural Statistics Service. The agency's report this week says the 2004 apple crop is 30 percent more than last year and the third largest on record. The Statistics Service's estimate includes both apples packed for the fresh market as well as the portion diverted to processing uses. The Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association and the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association have reported the fresh market production at or near a record 100 million cartons or 4.2 million pounds. As for the value of this year's crop, Parsons says:. Parsons: "Our preliminary estimate of the value of production is 1.11 billion dollars. That is actually down 5% from the previous year. Last year's crop was much smaller but prices were significantly higher, both on fresh and processing." That's based on only three months of fresh market price data and a projected processing price based Market News Service data. Large harvests, rising transportation costs and slow demand have prompted Twin City Foods to shut down its green pea growing and processing operations in Lewiston, Idaho. The decision affects about 30 farmers who raised peas on contract as well as 45 employees and about 200 part-time workers hired during harvest. I'm Bob Hoff.