Just a couple of degrees in temperature can make a huge difference in the quality and volume that an apple tree produces. Function of elevation, drainage and other issues also affect how a tree blossoms and produces fruit.

Peter Forrence, vice president of Forrence Orchards Inc. in Peru, NY, told The Produce News that all growing conditions, including temperatures, have been perfect at the company’s orchards this year.

“You never know for certain until you pick and store,” Forrence pointed out. “But we have had nice sunshine and plenty of water. We have what we consider an average size crop this year. It’s not huge, but it’s manageable and good quality. Our estimate is between six and seven hundred thousand 40-pound bushels, from our farm alone.”

Forrence constantly engages in projects that keep its orchards and facility updated, such as replanting trees with better producing ones.

Forrence noted that the company has also recently worked hard on improving fruit handling.

“We’ve smoothed out and created stable roots for the roads in order to get the fruit out of the field and into our facility with less bruising,” he explained. “And we are always updating our storage facilities, such as the new electrical system for a sorting line we recently installed. It’s a new component on an old machine that enables it to run more efficiently.”

Forrence Orchards holds steadfast to its food-safety certification, of which Forrence noted, “Increasingly more chain stores are insisting on. We are always up to date with our certifications.”

The company produces a wide range of apple varieties, with the McIntosh and Honeycrisp among the top. Today Forrence Orchards also grows numerous club varieties, including a very new one called the “EverCrisp,” which was released and is marketed by the Midwest Apple Improvement Association. Hopes are high for the variety, which is said to be great tasting like Honeycrisp but much more grower-friendly.

“Variety demand, including club varieties, is almost like a moving target,” said Forrence. “The Honeycrisp continues to be highly sought out and successful. It’s the apple we all look to for its premium price. In the past there were storage issues with it, but new methods are being developed to successfully extend storage. Consumers will pay the premium for them, so retailers will do whatever they can to procure them.”

Forrence Orchards started picking early variety apples in mid-August, with momentum building from there. It starts harvesting McIntosh and Honeycrisp varieties the first week of September, with other varieties coming on in the interim.

“Quality looks great now,” Forrence said in early August. “Our big concern is always inclement weather prior or during harvest, so we’re always happy when the apples are inside.

“The national apple industry is clearly in a situation where it needs to bounce back from last year’s over-production,” he continued. “If we could improve distribution, increase consumption and have a little less production, we’d be off to the races. Apples have only begun to reach their potential as a valuable food source.”