Stemilt Apples Pt 1

From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Washington apple harvest is well underway and, so far, the report is showing really good volume and great quality fruit.

Stemilt Growers Marketing Director, Brianna Shales says the weather really cooperated this year …

SHALES … “I think a lot of growers are feeling like it’s the tale of two different apple crops. So, last year you had one of the smallest crops in the past decade and it was also challenged because of multiple weather events including a really rare snow and frost during bloom.”

Which, Shales says felt really good to put behind us …

SHALES … “So, just challenged a lot by weather. And this year it’s sort of the opposite effect. We had great growing conditions from bloom onward and so that’s going to help the crop rebound both in size, but also in really, really great eating qualities.”

And Shales says beyond that …

SHALES … “Yeah, in Washington state we’ll return to better volume compared to a small crop last year.”

After last year, Shales says “normal” feels good …

SHALES … “Yeah, or above normal even. So, the Washington state crop is estimated at 134-million boxes, you know, and that was as of August 1st.”

Tune in tomorrow for more on apple harvest and the great fruit that’s showing up in the stores.