Apple Harvest
Apple Harvest. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report.
The 2013 Washington apple harvest has wrapped up.
FRYHOVER: Harvest is complete! We have the entire manifest of fruit and fruit varieties in the barn and things are looking real good.
That's Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission.
FRYHOVER: I sat in the Growers Clearing House deal last week and they pretty much confirmed that most of the varieties - well all the varieties are harvested. There may be some isolated people out there doing something different but general speaking I think the industry feels everything is harvested and in the barn. Well it's interesting, I think we do have the second largest crop in history. There's no question about that. We're estimating 113-million cartons compared to last years' 128 so we're down substantially but our brethren in the East Coast - New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania are all up
A larger crop can sometimes be harder to move since there is a surplus of product out there. But Fryhover says things are looking good out there.
FRYHOVER: But even with the increases on the East Coast in apple volumes we're had a very good fall - movement domestically and international has been better than anticipated. The industry in general feels very optimistic about the balance of the season and we're looking forward to good things.
If you have not tried some of the northwest varieties now is the perfect time. I have been very partial to Honey Crisp, Pink Lady and Fuji's but have had some equally wonderful Red and Golden Delicious and others.
That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.
