Schumer Legislation Will Help Orchards Transition to More Profitable Trees and Varieties - Presents and Discusses Plan With Niagara County Apple Growers

Press Release

In an effort to bolster New York's apple orchards so that farmers remain competitive in an intense apple market, today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer presented and discussed with local apple growers legislation he will be introducing to create an innovative program to promote the apple industry and increase the variety of apples produced. New York State orchards could use assistance with the conversion of their orchards to produce apples such as Honeycrisp which sell for up to 5 times as much as older, more traditional apples. Consumer preference for new varieties of apples has driven up profits for orchards that have been able to replace old trees with trees that can produce these new apples, but planting new varieties can be extraordinarily expensive. During appearance at a Lockport apple orchard, Schumer said that New York is the second largest apple producing state in the country and that apple growers play a vital role in New York's economy and must be supported. Schumer noted that some orchards can't meet the emerging demand because of the high cost of transitioning to new varieties

"Upstate New York has some of the best apple growers in the country and helping them grow the most profitable types of apple will only increase that reputation," Schumer said. "Apple producers are a huge part of Upstate's economic engine, and a time honored tradition for families everywhere - we've got to keep that tradition strong."
"Our biggest challenge to change over to new varieties is cash flow and financing. New planting is very expensive. If we're going to be in this business in the future, we need to make up-to-date plantings," said Jim Bittner, Singer Farms, and President of the Niagara County Farm Bureau.
New York is the second largest apple producer in the country with 1,350 apple farms across the state. Every year, New York's nearly 700 commercial apple growers pump approximately $268 million into the local economy and are responsible for employing approximately 17,000 New Yorkers both directly and indirectly. In recent years, demand for apples has only increased as scientists confirm that apples contain vital antioxidants. New York boasts approximately 49,248 total acres for apple production. Western New York is one the state's richest apple produces, boasting 163 apples orchards that stretch nearly 3,500 acres. Niagara County has 81 orchards with a total of 3,317 acres.
Today, Schumer presented his legislation to apple growers in Niagara County who are eager to take advantage of new opportunities that will help them produce the most profitable, in-demand apples. During his appearance, Schumer said that his legislation was modeled after Nova Scotia's Honeycrisp Orchard Renewal Program (HCORP) and will create a partnership between the government, the apple industry and orchards to replace older apple trees with newer apple trees that produce varieties with increased demand on the fresh market. The legislation will provide up to $20 million dollars per year for USDA to give out in low interest loans and grants to orchard owners, association of producers or farm cooperatives to upgrade their orchards. Owners or associations would apply directly to the USDA for funding. The legislation is called the APPLE Act - Apple Profit Protection for Local Economies Act.
Orchards in Nova Scotia have taken steps to tap into the new apple market by setting up the Nova Scotia's Honeycrisp Orchard Renewal Program (HCORP). The HCORP is an innovative partnership between the government, the apple industry and orchards to replace older apple trees with newer apple trees that produces varieties with increased demand on the fresh market. The change has proven to be very profitable for the orchards. According to the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, a bin of Honeycrisp apples sells on average for $514 versus $102 for a bin of Macs, which is close to the break-even point for most orchards.
Despite the increase in demand for new apple varieties or more efficient trees, many producers are not currently able to convert to these kinds of apples, preventing them from tapping into a profitable market. If enacted, the legislation will take New York's already great apple producers to new heights as they will be able to produce the most profitable apples, thereby growing their businesses, adding jobs and improving local economies.

Source