09/25/07 Apple Crop Part 3

Apple Crop Part Three. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. We've talked the last few days with Dave Carlson, President of the Washington Apple Commission about this year apple crop. While a lot of the apples have been picked there are still a few varieties waiting in the wings. Carlson is excited about the fact they have sold most of the apples from last year. CARLSON: This will be the second year in a row that we have basically sold the last year's crop prior to the harvest of this year's crop and that's a good way start when you have a clean storage thing and no leftover product from the preceding year. Of course we have been hearing a lot of good things about this year's apple crop. CARLSON: The quality is probably one of our more vintage crops this year across the board on almost every variety. The Granny Smith's that have been harvested and packed so far are very green and a very small amount of cullage in those as well. They seem to be picking out close to estimate or slightly a little more. Fuji's and Red Delicious may wind up being a bit on the short side but time will tell. I personally favor one of the club or lesser grown varieties, the Honey Crisp. CARLSON: We don't have any indications yet of the numbers on those and some of the newer club varieties that are all increasing a certain amount every year. Jazz is another club variety; Sonata. It looks like this will be a good year for apples so head to the store and stock up. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.