Tag Archives: Apples

Global apple, pear production edge higher

A USDA report forecasts that global fresh apple and pear production would edge higher this growing season. The U.S. apple harvest was anticipated to increase 1.2% to 4.4 million metric tons. Good growing conditions this year spurred a recovery in Washington, the nation’s No. 1 producer. Source: Global apple, pear production edge higher | Orchards, […]
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Millions of U.S. apples were almost left to rot. Now, they’ll go to hungry families

Many growers across the country have been left without a market due to oversupplied apple processors. West Virginia rescued its surplus, with a plan that donates apples to hunger-fighting charities. Bumper crops, export declines and the weather have contributed to the apple crisis. Following West Virginia’s rescue program, the USDA announced an additional $100 million […]
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Northwest apples see juicy year, expert says weather was just right

Many Northwest apple growers are reveling in a good crop — with good quality, moderate sizing and nice color. “Most of our people around our board of directors call this a ‘vintage crop,’ probably one of the best crops we’ve had at least in the last decade,” said Todd Fryhover, who leads the Washington Apple […]
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WSU’s new apple hybrid, WA 64, set for release in 2029

Washington State University has released a new apple variety expected to be available in grocery stores in 2029. WA 64, which has yet to receive a brand name, is a hybrid of Honeycrisp and Cripps Pink, a type of apple that includes the popular Pink Lady. “It’s a firm but crisp apple with a nice […]
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The robots are coming ― to pick Northwest apples

Feeling pressure from labor shortages, some farmers are betting on robots to be the fruit pickers of the future. In the orchards of Central Washington, a new kind of technology is revolutionizing the fruit tree industry. One of the robots being tested is 14 feet tall and has six mechanical arms with suction cups at […]
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Industry leaders strategize apple destinations amid low exports

Shippers continue to sell significantly fewer Washington-grown apples than average into international markets due to the short apple crop, inflation, tariffs and supply chain snarls. Faced with some of the lowest export volumes in 20 years, growers are rethinking apple destinations and market opportunities. On Thursday, leaders of the Washington Apple Commission — the organization […]
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PNW apples closer to gaining access to Australia market

Pacific Northwest apple growers are one step closer to potentially gaining access to Australia’s long-sought consumer market. Industry experts, however, say many uncertainties and regulatory hurdles remain. The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on Oct. 31 published a risk assessment on importing fresh apples from the Pacific Northwest — defined as Oregon, Washington […]
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‘Long, cold spring’ impacts Washington’s fruit harvests

Apple crop expected to be a bit lower this year, while peach and cherry picking gets pushed back. Washington’s apple crop is forecast to be a bit smaller this year because of the cool spring. The Washington State Tree Fruit Association on Monday projected the 2022 Washington state fresh apple crop will total 108.7 million […]
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‘Lost’ Kay apple has been found in northeast Oregon

An apple tree has been found near Flora. That may not seem significant, except for the fact that the apple on that tree was previously believed to have gone the way of the dodo or the Tasmanian tiger. The Kay apple, a multicolored fruit, has been growing on a tree in Flora. It was harvested […]
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Two Apple Varieties Thought to Be Extinct Have Been Found in Oregon – Willamette Week

Both varieties had been missing for over 100 years. Last fall, Dave Benscoter traveled to a remote corner of Oregon in search of an apple that hadn’t been identified in over a century. Benscoter is the founder of the Lost Apple Project, an organization that tracks down apple varieties deemed extinct. This week, Lost Apple […]
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