Strong New York apple crop expected this fall
Strong New York apple crop expected this fall
The New York Apple Association, based in Fishers, NY, announced that its annual crop prediction is 29.5 million bushels for the fall harvest.
"We're looking at an outstanding-quality crop this fall," Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, said in a July 30 statement announcing the forecast. "New York's crop this year will be one to savor and enjoy."
Outstanding summer growing conditions, as well as ideal pollination conditions this spring, have led to one of the better-looking crops ever in New York, according to growers.
Statewide, the three primary growing regions are all seeing good quality. The strongest fruiting area is the eastern part of the state, with some orchards predicting a crop size 110 percent of normal.
The Lake Champlain region has rebounded from last year's smaller-than- normal crop with what looks to be an excellent crop this year, according to growers in that area. In the western part of the state along Lake Ontario, the recent rains have improved fruit size, and growers there are predicting outstanding quality as well.
While growing conditions are favorable, many growers have concerns about higher input costs, particularly for energy and labor.
"We are experiencing record high production costs this year based on fuel and cost increases on other materials," Mr. Allen said, adding that a looming concern this fall will be having enough labor to harvest this crop.
Harvest timing is expected to be normal, with early varieties like Ginger Gold and Paula Red to be harvested beginning in mid-August.
This is expected to be an "on year" for the extremely popular Honeycrisp variety. Although New York apple growers will harvest more Honeycrisp, they are doubtful they will be able to meet the ever-increasing high consumer demand for that apple.
The harvest will begin in earnest in September with McIntosh, New York's top variety. Empire apples, the state's second-leading variety, will be picked later in September. The harvest runs through November with more than 20 different commercial varieties to be picked, ranking New York's crop as the most diverse in the nation.
The association's annual crop prediction was determined July 24 by a consensus of growers representing six apple-growing districts throughout the state, along with crop advisers, processing apple buyers and Cornell Cooperative Extension agents.
"We're looking at an outstanding-quality crop this fall," Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, said in a July 30 statement announcing the forecast. "New York's crop this year will be one to savor and enjoy."
Outstanding summer growing conditions, as well as ideal pollination conditions this spring, have led to one of the better-looking crops ever in New York, according to growers.
Statewide, the three primary growing regions are all seeing good quality. The strongest fruiting area is the eastern part of the state, with some orchards predicting a crop size 110 percent of normal.
The Lake Champlain region has rebounded from last year's smaller-than- normal crop with what looks to be an excellent crop this year, according to growers in that area. In the western part of the state along Lake Ontario, the recent rains have improved fruit size, and growers there are predicting outstanding quality as well.
While growing conditions are favorable, many growers have concerns about higher input costs, particularly for energy and labor.
"We are experiencing record high production costs this year based on fuel and cost increases on other materials," Mr. Allen said, adding that a looming concern this fall will be having enough labor to harvest this crop.
Harvest timing is expected to be normal, with early varieties like Ginger Gold and Paula Red to be harvested beginning in mid-August.
This is expected to be an "on year" for the extremely popular Honeycrisp variety. Although New York apple growers will harvest more Honeycrisp, they are doubtful they will be able to meet the ever-increasing high consumer demand for that apple.
The harvest will begin in earnest in September with McIntosh, New York's top variety. Empire apples, the state's second-leading variety, will be picked later in September. The harvest runs through November with more than 20 different commercial varieties to be picked, ranking New York's crop as the most diverse in the nation.
The association's annual crop prediction was determined July 24 by a consensus of growers representing six apple-growing districts throughout the state, along with crop advisers, processing apple buyers and Cornell Cooperative Extension agents.
