High light levels in New York state so far this summer will lift sugar content in the state’s apple crop, growers report.
Growing got off to a wet start in the spring, but orchards having been basking in sunshine ever since.
“Sunny weather means sweeter fruit, and happy apple eaters,” said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association. “New York is going to have a strong, tasty crop and we are going to have plenty of our apples in the marketplace before anyone else. Consumers are going to be delighted with our quality this year.”
Early varieties will start picking later this month, but the harvest begins in earnest in September once McIntosh comes on stream.
Allen reported that crop development is on schedule and will not be starting with any delays despite the heavy rains that slowed blooming.
Volumes are forecast to be similar to last year’s crop size of approximately 30.3 million bushels.
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