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Fruit production increased in 2016

The USDA says noncitrus fruit production increased slightly last year. Total crop production was reported at nearly 19 million pounds, with the largest production increases reported in apricots, kiwifruit and tart cherries.

The value of the crop totaled $16.6 billion, up slightly from the year before. Crop acreage declined one percent.

The Great Lakes Regional office says production increased for all fruits in Michigan. The state’s apple production was reported at a record 1.18 million pounds, nearly a 20 percent increase from the prior year because of ideal growing conditions and larger fruit.  The value of the crop totaled $293 million.

Michigan tart cherry production increased 44 percent to 227 million pounds. The crop’s value remained steady with the year before at $53.8 million.  Michigan sweet cherry production increased 68 percent and was valued at $18 million for more than 22,000 tons.  The majority of the state’s crop narrowly missed a damaging hail storm that took place during harvest in the northwest.

Blueberry production in Michigan increased by more than half to just over 110 million pounds, growers harvested more than 20,000 acres and received more than $130 million for the crop.

Michigan grape production increased by 16 percent to more than 93,000 tons with a value of more than $30 million.

Michigan peach production increased by almost half to more than 10,000 tons with a value of more than $9 million. Growers reported smaller fruit because of drought conditions in early harvested varieties.

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