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Michigan Expects 1,000% Better Apple Crop

DETROIT (WWJ) - If you love your apple cider, but aren't prepared to pay a premium, it appears you're in luck.

Following last year's devastating loss of almost the entire crop, 2013 is one thousand percent better — literally.

Diane Smith, Executive Director of the Michigan Apple Committee, says the weather was perfect for apple growing this year.

She said Michigan is expecting to harvest 30 million bushels of apples this year — well above average for the state.

"Which is fantastic news considering the problems we've had with last year's crop," Smith told WWJ Newsradio 950. "We are feeling great about it. I will say, it was a really, really tough year last year, losing the crop that way."

So, what made the difference?

"Well, we didn't warm up in March like we did last year," Smith explained. "Everybody was wearing shorts in March last year ... and so excited. And this year it was actually cold — and that's how it's supposed to be in March, so the apples didn't wake up too early."

Nationwide, apple experts say this year's crop will be the twelfth largest in history.

Last fall, apple cider sold for up to $10 at Southeast Michigan cider mills. Prices are expected to fall at least back to normal this year: around $7.

Michigan is the third largest producer of apples in the U.S., .behind only New York and Washington state.

RELATED: Best Cider Mills In Detroit

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