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Virginia Apple Sales Rise 76 Percent in 2004

Posted on: Friday, 25 November 2005, 21:00 CST

By Daily Press, Newport News, Va.

Nov. 25--RICHMOND -- The 2004 numbers are in for Virginia apples, and they add up to a substantial sweetener for the industry and the state's economy overall.

According to the Virginia office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Virginia apple sales topped $44 million, ranking the Commonwealth fifth among 35 apple-producing states. Virginia's total sales represent an increase of more than 76 percent over the previous year, and include $33 million in sales of fresh apples and $11.2 million in sales of processed apple products.

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation commodity and marketing expert Spencer Neale said there is a reason for the increased sales.

"The sales are driven by price and production," he said.

"In 2004 growers had an excellent crop, and we have been able to access better markets and very good exports. Quality counts when it comes to sales."

Virginia's apple exports increased significantly in 2004. The state is now exporting apples to Cuba, India and Central America.

In addition to strong sales results, Virginia's 2004 apple production ranked sixth nationwide with 300 million pounds, an increase of 11 percent over 2003.

Although the amount of land on which apples were grown in Virginia held steady at 15,000 acres, the yield per acre increased from 18,000 pounds of apples in 2003 to 20,000 pounds in 2004.

"Domestically we are competing for fresh product with Washington and Michigan, which both ship apples all over the country," Neale added.

"We have made some aggressive marketing plans to compete with those other states. We have always had a great quality of apples, but marketing coupled with the high quality is a plus. This will lead to a long-term effect that we are starting to see, and maybe this will turn around Virginia's apple sector."

Virginia's orchards produce a variety of apples including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome, Stayman, Gala, Winesap, York, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Fuji and Ginger Gold.

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Copyright (c) 2005, Daily Press, Newport News, Va.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: Daily Press

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