Fruit and Tree Nuts: Situation and Outlook Report

摘要

Grower prices for many noncitrus and citrus fruits are likely to stay lower thana year ago for the remainder of 1997 and into 1998. Several key Western States are harvesting larger crops of grapes and pears this fall, U.S. apple production is expected to increase, and conditions are favorable for another large orange and grapefruit crop for the 1997/98 season. During the first 7 months of the 1997, the grower price index for fruit and nuts averaged 8 percent below a year earlier. The decline was due mainly to a larger Washington apple crop of mostly smaller sized fruit last fall, a record large Florida orange crop and a large U.S. grapefruit crop in 1996/97, and an abundant harvest of summer stone fruits and grapes this year. Lower almond prices in 1996/97 also influenced the price index.