Pennsylvania apple shippers say Honeycrisp movement is steady, but pricing has been trending up since before Christmas — and it's still rising. Industry insiders note there's actually more Honeycrisp volume available this year compared to last, which makes the price strength unusual.
When prices go up despite more supply, it usually points to strong demand or tighter-than-expected storage availability pulling forward. Either way, buyers planning Honeycrisp programs should expect to pay more than recent history might suggest.
This is a good one to flag for category managers heading into spring and summer planning. If pricing is strengthening now in shoulder season, it could set the tone for what fall contracts look like when new crop Honeycrisp hits.