Washington’s apple harvest this year is expected to be slightly lower than last year due to low spring temperatures.
The Washington State Fruit Tree Association (WSTFA) estimates that this year’s harvest will reach 108.7 million in a 40-pound box. This is an 11.1% drop from last year’s 122.3 million boxes.
WSTFA Chairman John Devani said that the yield of this level was fortunate given the low temperature that lasted for a long time this spring.
Among the apples to be harvested this year, ‘Gala’ was the largest with 20% of the total, followed by ‘Red Delicious’ and ‘Honey Crisp’ with 14% each.
It is estimated that ‘granny’ is 13.4% and Fuji is 12.7%, and ‘cosmic crisp’ grown only in Washington state is 4.6%, which is expected to increase slightly from last year’s 3.2%.
Devani said 30% of Washington’s apple harvest is exported to more than 40 countries around the world, adding that by 2020, apples accounted for 20% of the value of Washington’s total agricultural produce.