Apple Harvest Underway in Earnest

Apple Harvest Underway in Earnest. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

You have by now figured out that its harvest time in the northwest and one of the biggest crops being harvested are apples. All sorts of apples!

FRYHOVER: Gala’s are probably or very, very close to being done in most cases. Golden’s are being harvested in earnest, Red Delicious is coming off and some of every variety depending on the elevation and rootstocks and things of that nature but thus far things look real good.

That Todd Fryhover, executive director of the Washington Apple Commission who says the estimate is for 107-million boxes of apples this season but word is they might be a little short.

FRYHOVER: When you look at the big cherry crop you had and the issues that were related to that and it appears that the pear crop is very large this season it’s almost contradictory to think that we could be short of fruit with the apple deal, there’s no question about that but there’s one thing about our industry which is real critical I mean after last years’ record crop volume we learned a lot. We’re very resilient in our marketing strategies and things and really the positive things towards this crop regardless of the volume is we’re back to normal sizing which is a huge, huge benefit for us.

Of course the weather could not be better so we are seeing great coloring and finishing so even though it might be a bit short, it is some of the finest fruit to come out of the northwest .

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.