Washington apple growers are anticipating a strong start to the 2008/09 season in North America with limited volumes available following a late start to the deal. Harvesting is expected to get underway 7-10 days later than last year due to cool weather earlier this year impacting on pollination.
Suzanne Wolter of Rainier Fruit Co. told news sources that the first Goldens would be available on 15 August, followed by Galas on 20 August and Fujis on 7 September. “We were initially expecting a bumper crop,” she told The Packer. “Now we’re looking at about the same as last year.”
Growers say the quality of this season’s crop is excellent, although sizes will be somewhat smaller than last year. Bob Mast of Wenatchee-based Columbia Marketing International said supplies could be particularly tight for 80-88s.
“We’re asking retailers to remain flexible,” he said. “There could be a chance for more bagged promotions this year.”
The Washington Apple Commission said state apple growers are expected to produce about the same size crop as last year. Giving its first official estimate for the 2008/09 crop, the commission said around 98.2m cartons would be harvested for the fresh market.
The WAC also announced this week that it is seeking an interim replacement for president Dave Carlson who was put on administrative leave earlier this week following reports that the commission wished to go in a different direction.
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