The 2007-08 Washington state apple crop is expected to be three per cent lower than last season’s output, which will finalise at 98.9 million cartons.
It is early to make concrete predictions for this season’s volume, but, the period that normally contains any weather damage - primarily hail - has passed without any significant losses. Some abnormally warm weather in July and early August has slowed growth in some orchards and most hand thinning has now been completed, although later in the season than desired due to tight labour supplies.
All indications are that the 2006 crop will be shipped prior to harvest of new crop with little or no carryover. The weather has been ideal for both sizing and finish of the fruit. Sizing is expected to be near historical norms with smooth finishes on all varieties. The first harvested apples of the season will be Gala, followed by Golden Delicious in week 35, Red Delicious, Fuji, Cameo, Braeburn, Granny Smith and Cripps Pink. Washington expects to complete harvest in early November.
Red Delicious has been affected most by light return bloom and cold weather in the spring and the August 1 estimate for fresh sales in 2007 is 29.9m cartons, (35.8m cartons last season). The Washington Apple Commission forecasts that there will be no shortage of premium fruit, however, as newer orchards perform better than some of their older counterparts.
Golden Delicious will bounce back after a very short 2006 and the expected volume is 10.8m cartons (10,2m cartons) of good fruit with a smooth finish. There should also be a substantial increase in Gala production this year with estimates at 17.2m cartons (15.8m cartons). The first Gala harvest began this week, with volume harvest beginning next week. Quality and size appear to be normal with a good mix of all sizes.
Granny Smith production will be near 2006 levels as plantings have stabilised and production hovers in the 14m-carton range.
Fuji volume will be down due to off bloom in some of the larger production regions that were severely damaged by hail in 2006. Supplies should, however, be adequate for domestic as well as export demand through the middle of the marketing year. Forecasted crop is 11.8m cartons (12.6m cartons).
Honey Crisp continues to increase in production with many younger blocks reaching production. Jazz and other club varieties continue to increase slowly but will not exceed demand this year.
Cripps Pink will come on stream about six days earlier and barring late frost damage, the estimate is for 2.4m cartons (1.9m cartons).
Organic production is estimated at 3.28m cartons of all varieties this year. Gala leads the way with 780,000 cartons, followed by Red Delicious (525,000 cartons) and Fuji (450,000 cartons).
