Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), Arctic apple developer and grower, has announced the completion of the 2020 harvest, which the group has said is its largest to date.
The apples were harvested in Washington state, where 1,350 acres of Arctic apple orchards are planted.
According to OSF, the Arctic Golden harvest yielded approximately 8,400 bins or almost 8m pounds, while the Arctic Granny harvest yielded around 5,500 bins or 5m pounds.
This is twice the size of the 2019 harvest and is attributed to an increase in harvestable acreage from last year and the trees, which as they mature, produce more fruit.
“We are thankful for our team of over 150 harvesters who have made this season possible,” said Bob Wilkinson, director of sales for OSF. “We’re proud to see the Arctic apple volume continue to grow and look forward to our buyers and consumers giving this season's high quality, delicious apples a try.”
Arctic apples use the apple’s own genes to 'turn off' the enzyme responsible for making apples turn brown when cut or bruised.
'The result is an amazing quality, longer shelf-life apple that tastes and looks better, which means less food waste from harvest to consumption,' OSF outlined. 'Arctic apples retain their fresh appearance and delicious flavour throughout the shelf-life, which surpasses all other fresh-cut apples in the market.'
