Big Apple Crop Expected

Big Apple Crop Expected. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. If you have been paying attention at the grocery store you have seen some wonderfully fresh Washington apples hitting the stands. The 2013 apple harvest is well underway and according to the latest forecasts it looks to be a sizable crop. Lacy Gray has more. GRAY: The second largest Washington State apple crop is forecasted this year at 120 million 40 lb boxes. This is a decrease of 9 million boxes from last year. Due to Michigan and East Coast's devastating frost last year, Washington sold through the record breaking crop with record prices. Prices are not expected to drop significantly this season. There will be efforts made by marketers to keep prices up understanding the rising cost of production. With Michigan and the East Coast experiencing a normal 2013 crop, Washington will rely heavily on exporting a significant portion of the crop to ensure we sell thru 120 million boxes. Last year's Washington exports were up 9 percent from the previous season. ? Thanks Lacy. Two factors remain to weigh in on the actual harvested crop total: weather and labor. At present there seems to be an adequate supply of labor but as we get further into the harvest we'll have to see. And then of course Mother Nature may come into play with harvest. Weather can have an impact on fruit size and color for later varieties. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.