The 2009 Apricot crop has declined for the second year in a row. The NASS forecast for this year’s crop was estimated at 150.5 million pounds, an 8% decline from 2008.
The reduced crop in California due to frost drove down total production. California’s 2009 crop was forecast at 132 million pounds, down 14% from 2008 and down 19% from 2007.
Washington, forecast at 18 million pounds, is on track to have its largest apricot crop on record, twice the size of 2008’s freeze-damaged and poorly-pollinated crop.
This year’s crop quality for California and Washington was good, helping prices. Lower shipments in California have driven prices higher, as well.