Organic Apple Production '24 Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. Most of Washington’s apple crop is in and, at an estimated 124 million boxes, it’s been a solid year.And Washington State Tree Fruit Association President, Jon DeVaney says organic apple production was also on par …
DeVANEY … “16% of this year’s crop are projected to be produced organic. That is an important segment of our crop.”
Putting Washington, DeVaney says at the top of organic apple regions …
DeVANEY … “What a lot of folks would cite is just how dominant Washington is overall in the organic sector.
National statistics show about 97% of the nation's organic apple production is from Washington state, and so that’s really significant.”
DeVaney says the same great climate, water, and growing techniques that make Washington a premier apple-growing region also make it great for growing organic …
DeVANEY … “We have great growing conditions for producing organically. So, as that sector continues to grow that will benefit our organic producers in Washington.”
As we work, DeVaney says to keep up with consumer demand …
DeVANEY … “That can be challenging because we do hope for and need a higher premium price on organics, for all the complexities of organic production and certification and making sure you’re meeting all of those regulatory requirements. But in an environment where consumers are under a lot of financial pressure, sometimes there’s concerns that that will dampen the growth of that sector.”
Listen tomorrow for more on organic apples from Washington state.