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How ya like them apples? Virginia ranks sixth in apple production nationally

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virginia-newThe Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today the 2014 production figures for apples, grapes and peaches. The figures came from surveys by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Total apple production for 2014 was estimated at 195 million pounds (4.6 million, 42 lb. bushels), unchanged from 2013. Utilized production totaled 195 million pounds, up 5 million pounds from 2013. Apples for fresh market totaled 80 million pounds, unchanged from 2013. Apples for processing accounted for 115 million pounds of the 2014 crop; this is 5 million pounds more than the 2013 crop.

The average price received for 2014 apples was 18.8 cents per pound, up 1.2 cents from the 2013 price. Total value of utilized production was $36.7 million for the crop, up $3.3 million from the 2013 value of $33.4 million. Fresh market apples brought 29.9 cents per pound in 2014, up 1.9 cents from 2013. Processed apples sold for $222.00 per ton, up $22.00 per ton from 2013.

The number of bearing acres of apples totaled 10,400 acres in 2014, down 300 acres from 2013. The yield per acre was 18,800 pounds, 600 pounds more than in 2013. Based on utilized production, Virginia ranks 6th in the nation for apple production.

Total grape production for 2014 was estimated at 8,800 tons (17.6 million pounds), up 1,300 tons (2.6 million pounds) from 2013. Utilized production totaled 8,200 tons (16.4 million pounds), up 1,200 tons (2.4 million pounds) from 2013. Bearing acres were estimated at 3,300, up 100 from 2013, with an average yield of 2.67 tons (5,340 pounds) per acre, up .33 tons (660 pounds) from 2013.

The average price received per ton was estimated at $1,850.00. This was an increase of $50.00 per ton from 2013. Based on utilized production, Virginia ranks 7th in the nation for grape production.

Total peach production in 2014 was 5,300 tons (10.6 million pounds), down 2,440 tons (4.9 million pounds) from 2013. Utilized production totaled 5,020 tons (10.0 million pounds), a decrease of 1,020 tons (2.0 million pounds) from 2013. Value of utilized production totaled $5.87 million, an increase of 5 percent from 2013. Bearing acres were estimated at 1,200, unchanged from 2013, with an average yield of 4.42 tons (8,840 pounds) per acre, down 2.03 tons (4,060 pounds) from 2013.

The average price received per ton was estimated at $1,170.00. This was an increase of $244.00 per ton from 2013. Based on utilized production, Virginia ranks 13th in the nation for peach production.

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