The apple crop in New York, the largest producing state outside Washington, is forecast to reach some 30.7 million cases, roughly in line with last year depending on which authority’s figures you choose to follow, and likely to be between 16 and 21 per cent above the five-year average.
Thanks to a warm, dry June, followed by sufficient rainfall in July, New York growers are eagerly looking forward to harvesting an above-average crop this year.
According to the US department of agriculture’s New York field office, apple production across the state is forecast at three per cent above last year’s crop. “Our crop is great this year,” said one grower in the state. “The weather conditions have been just perfect.”
But some hail issues in NY state on the US east coast have left some growers with fruit that is “cosmetically challenged,” another grower said. Picking is already underway with the earliest varieties, and will continue until mid-October.
Meanwhile, according to estimates released by trade body US Apple Association, production in Washington state is set to be 11 per cent down on last year.
