CHICAGO — U.S. apple industry leaders forecast that the 2013 U.S. apple crop will be 243.3 million bushels.

These "outlook forecast" numbers were announced Aug. 23 by three regional apple industry spokesmen, representing the culmination of the 2013 Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference, held Aug. 22-23 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, here.

Those reporting the outlook forecasts were Don Kelly, speaking on behalf of growers in the western United States; Mike Rothwell, who represented the Midwest; and Phil Glaize, who represented Eastern growers.

Herndon Farms of Lyons, GA is best-known as an industry leader in the Vidalia onion market, but its Peruvian deal — now in its fourth year — is becoming an increasingly important part of its 12-month program.

“We want to play to our strength and our strength is what we do in the field,” said Herndon Sales Manager John Williams. “We can be the eyes and ears for our customers on the ground and in the field. As an importer from Peru, there’s no third party involved and we have the same people monitor the quality as we do with Vidalia.”

“We are anticipating a very nice crop of apples this year, with volumes similar to the 2012 crop,” said Julie Bancroft, the newly appointed executive director for the Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Program, headquartered in Harrisburg, PA, on Aug. 8. “The fruit size also looks good — but not too large.”

Steve Volpe, founder and owner of Royal Madera Vineyards in Madera, CA, turned 90 on Aug. 20, but entering his 10th decade hasn't slowed him down much.

After nearly 80 years in the produce industry, Volpe still comes into the office frequently, according to his daughter, Cheryl Cerniglia, who, like many family members of the second- and third-generation, works for the company.

"We are in our harvest season," she told The Produce News in mid-August, and "he was down here again today."

Tommy Wilkins, who has worked with United Supermarkets produce buying department for about two decades, left the firm Aug. 2 to seek a new challenge. A spokesman for the firm confirmed his departure and said it had no prepared statement with regard to an announcement about his replacement.

Wilkins told The Produce News Aug. 20 that he has been working with United Supermarkets since it left a wholesale grocery distributor in the early 1990s.

CHICAGO — The U.S. apple crop this year is expected to total 246.5 million bushels, a figure that was formally announced Aug. 22 at the 2013 Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference, held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, here.

If the estimate is accurate, this would be the 12th-largest crop in U.S. history. This crop is estimated to be 14 percent larger than the frost-decimated 2012 apple harvest. In 2012, U.S. apple volume was 215.7 million bushels, 31 million bushels below the 2013 estimate.