STATE APPLE, GRAPE HARVESTS EXPECTED TO SHOW DECLINES.(BUSINESS)

Byline: -- Staff report

ALBANY -- New York apple and grape production is expected to be lower for 1998 than a year ago.

State apple production is forecast at 1.01 billion pounds for 1998, based on growers' expectations as of Oct. 1. The forecast decreased 3 percent from Aug. 1, and 10 percent from last year's crop of 1.12 billion pounds. The apple production decrease in New York is a result of the Labor Day storms that hit the Lake Ontario region.

New York ranks third nationally in apple production behind Washington state and Michigan.

The western part of New York -- Niagara, Orleans, Monroe and Wayne counties -- accounts for about 60 …