Hess Bros.’ stored apples are in outstanding condition
Hess Bros.’ stored apples are in outstanding condition
Apples stored at Hess Bros. Fruit Co. in Lancaster, PA, are in very good shape this year. On Dec. 12, Fred Hess, co-owner of the company, told The Produce News that the storage condition is excellent.
“The apples have good pressure and all other conditions look great at this time,” he said. “We calculate pressure — or firmness — of the fruit by weight. We weigh them when they go into storage and then weigh them throughout the year.”
Zack King, human resources and assistant plant manager, Ryan Hess, fruit procurement and grower relations, and Andrew Figart, sales and marketing.Hess Bros. reorganized in 2013 when Jerry Hess, Fred Hess’ brother, retired. Hess took on three new family-member partners who represent the next generation. They include nephews Ryan Hess, Andy Figart, and Jerry’s son-in-law, Zack King.
“They have all worked for us for some time and they’re doing an outstanding job,” said Hess.
Hess said that as of early December, movement of the apples has also been very good, but he expressed concern about market issues that could cause some problems going forward this season.
“The European markets are in turmoil because of the Russian embargo on apples from the U.S. and European Union countries,” he said. “This issue is causing serious apple competition all over the place. Eastern apples are shipped to European countries, and Russia was previously a big user of EU apples. Now that fruit has to find a place to be sold.”
“The slowdown on West Coast ports is certainly adding to the complications the U.S. apple industry is currently facing,” he added.
Also contributing to apple price pressures this season is that Washington state was earlier predicted to have a large crop, but with smaller sized apples. But the opposite has occurred.
“At the end of the day, Washington ended up with more large size fruit than it did smaller sizes,” Hess said. “That’s also putting a lot of pressure on pricing.”
Despite the challenges, Hess Bros. Fruit is on target with stored fruit this season.
“We will be in good shape going into spring and summer,” said Hess.