This year's Washington apple crop is set to be 5.8m cartons smaller than estimates made at the start of August and in October, which had forecast total production of 99.6m cartons and 101.6m cartons respectively.
The record apple crop in the north-western US state is 105m cartons in 2004, with each carton weighing 40lb (18.1kg).
'With what was anticipated as the second largest apple crop in history, Washington welcomes a high quality moderate volume apple crop,' said Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission.
'This bodes well for Washington’s apple growers having completed a historically high crop volume in 2008 which included a slow Fall kickoff and inadequate prices,' he added.
As expected, Fuji and Granny Smith are well below previous estimated volumes, down a combined 4m cartons.
And with 2009 being the alternate bearing year for Golden Delicious, total volume of the variety stands at 1.9m cartons less than 2008.
Red Delicious and Gala, meanwhile, are reported to be very close to the original estimates and make up 52 per cent of Washington’s total crop volume for 2009/10.
Fruit sizing this season is said to be larger than in 2008/09, when there was an abundance of small apples.
'Sizing is back to normal, and in some varieties one size larger than traditional,' revealed Mr Fryhover. 'The true value of Washington’s apple crop should be in the large size category, primarily 72s and larger.
As well as a reduced crop volume, sales movement for apples produced in the north-western US state has reportedly been excellent, driven by high quality and increased consumer acceptance by both domestic and international markets.
As of 1 November, just over 17 per cent of Washington's crop had been sold, compared with 14 per cent at the same point last year.
'Washington’s apple industry is in overdrive to fulfill demand as the new crop gains momentum and consumer support worldwide,' Mr Fryhover confirmed.
Expectations for medium to small apple prices are expected to firm and increase as sales progress to fruit currently in controlled atmosphere storage.
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