06/04/07 Looking At Concord Grapes

Looking at Concord Grapes. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Wine grapes in the northwest seem to take center stage much of the time but there is another variety that for many years has been a favorite for the deep purple colored, sweet tasting juice it provides, the Concord. HAGEMAN: Here in Washington, we are the largest Concord producing state in the country followed by the tri-state area back east which is New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and to a lesser extent, Michigan. The reason why all these states are in the northern latitudes is that the Concord grape needs a good cold winter to do well the next summer and fall. You don't get that in Oregon, you certainly don't get that in California and the lower latitudes. Randy Hageman is the president and general manager for Milne Fruit Products, Inc. in Prosser, Washington who produces 100% natural and pure fruit ingredients. On average, the state produces about 8 tons per acre and about 24-thousand bearing acres. Hageman says crop sizes vary on an opposite year cycle. HAGEMAN: A heavy crop one year will stress the vines out so that the following year typically you get a lighter than normal crop and during that year the vines rest up and the following year after a light crop you get a heavier crop. So that kind of balanced out in the early 2000's and we're starting to see it again  heavy crop in 2005, a lighter crop by 30% in 2006 and this crop bigger than last year but not as big as '05. Hageman says they will be doing a berry count in a little over a month's time and will have a better idea of what the '07 crop looks like. If my one lone Concord grape vine is any indication, it looks like a good year. Tomorrow Randy Hageman talks about what prices may be coming up. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.