Idaho apples on track for successful season

September 21, 2023

With a history that dates back more than a century, the Idaho apple industry plays an important role in providing fruit to consumers throughout the country, and this year there are high hopes for another successful season.

The apple-growing region of Idaho occupies a relatively small area in the southwestern portion of the state, nestled in a valley between the Snake and Payette rivers. This region is especially well-suited for growing high-quality apples, owing to the volcanic soil, abundant water supply and microclimate.

apples To produce their prized apples, Idaho growers follow sound agricultural practices, which includes being dedicated stewards of the land. When trees go dormant in the winter, growers use this time to prune them in preparation for the next season. As trees reawaken in the early spring, growers return to the orchards with loving care, thinning the bloom to ensure consistent size and volume.

Managing pests with new natural inhibitors is another technique that growers use to ensure a high-quality crop, with an eye toward sustainability.

As apples are harvested, they are brought to one of the state-of-the-art packing and storage facilities in the area and quickly cooled for long-term storage. Idaho packing facilities are tested by third-party auditors to ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices. This also provides traceability for the apples, identifying the orchard from which they came.

Apple harvest in Idaho begins in August, with Gala apples, and continues through October when Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples are harvested. Over the harvest period, many other varieties will be harvested, including Jonathan, Red Delicious, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Rome, and Fuji.

Idaho apples are packed by grade standards that exceed USDA standards. A variety of packaging sizes are available for consumers and retailers. When buying apples, they should be selected that are firm to the touch; this will provide apples with the best flavor and crunchiness.

Kelly Henggeler of Henggeler Packing said that while this growing season started late due to an extended winter, he expects the crop to be picked on time with good internal quality.

“The late start was actually an advantage this year, as it reduced the risk of frost,” he said. “Mild temperatures continued for the rest of the spring, and summer weather has been ideal aside from two very short triple-digit periods. The fruit is sizing nicely and coloring well.”

Henggeler, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary in business this year, grows several different varieties of apples, led by Gala and Fuji.

“We grow and pack 90 percent of our own fruit, and we also pack for a handful of growers,” he said, adding that the client base is largely retail and wholesale accounts.

Aside from Gala and Fuji, Henggeler grows Red and Golden Delicious and Pink Lady. Henggeler said they also grow Honeycrisp, with much of that production for the local market.

Sean Rowley of Mountainland Apples, a grower in Caldwell, ID, said he expects a good crop this year based on early observations. He said fruit is sizing nicely and coloring well.

“We continue to cover some of our apple blocks with shade net for sunburn protection,” he said. “We have also been moving toward doing more work in our high-density apple blocks with platforms for pruning, thinning and harvesting.”

Rowley said labor is among the various challenges growers face each year, and this year is no different.

“We can’t get domestic labor to come work for us harvesting our fruit,” he said. “We rely solely on the H2A program and are subject to the challenges that come with that program, including increased wages, trouble getting through the consulates, increased travel costs and also increased living expenses.”

Henggeler agreed, saying the labor situation has been critical the last few of years. “It dictates how much you plant and when fruit is harvested.”

Tagged in:

Michigan

Apples