Northwest apples will be larger this year

Apple growers in the Northwest say that sizes will be closer to the normal average this year. Last year's abundance of smaller sizes hurt the market so this year's situation will be improved. This is because excellent weather through spring and summer have provided ideal apple growing conditions.

"The warm spring in the Northwest resulted in good apple cell division and sizing is expected to normal peak of 80/88s, which is better than last year when there was much more smaller fruit," said Randy Steensma of Honey Bear Tree Fruit Company. "We are expecting to be a full two sizes up on average from last year. All varieties enjoyed perfect growing conditions."

Although parts of the region experienced a very warm summer, Fall conditions have arrived just in time for the harvest, and it seems the seasonal weather has set in. "We began harvest two weeks ago and since then, there has been a clear transition to Fall weather," Steensma noted. "High temperatures are now in the 80s, with nights going down to between 55 and 60. As a result, the apples are coloring up rapidly now."

Retailers ready to turn to Fall themed displays

Since the start of the season, growers have been busy picking and packing Gala apples, the first crop of the season. Good volumes are now being shipped. Other varieties are getting started now too, including Honeycrisp and Smitten, which according to Steensma, is just in time as retailers switch their attention to Fall crops. 

"We have been heavy into Gala and we are just starting Honeycrisp now," he said. "The early market started out very good but we are now looking forward to getting into some more varieties and be able to offer retailers something new. They are now winding down their summer displays as peaches and nectarines finish for the season. Retailers will shortly be changing their store layouts and displays to a Fall theme, and apples feature heavily in this. It will be good to have several varieties ready for them." 

Newer varieties gaining market share

It was recently reported that Red Delicious is on track to lose its number one spot in US apple production to Gala this year, a spot which it has held for more than 50 years. This is a demonstration that newer varieties are gaining market share at the expense of traditional varieties. New apples like Smitten are growing in acreage and attracting more demand each year.

It was recently reported that Red Delicious is on track to lose its number one spot in US apple production to Gala this year, a spot which it has held for more than 50 years. This is a demonstration that newer varieties are gaining market share at the expense of traditional varieties. New apples like Smitten are growing in acreage and attracting more demand each year.

"Every year, newer varieties are becoming more dominant and gaining a greater market share," Steensma observed. "The Smitten apple is an example. It is a bi-color proprietary apple developed by Prevar in New Zealand. Washington growers have been cultivating it for the past six years and volume has doubled each year. This year also marks the first year of organic Smitten apple production after several years of transition. This is really important as it is one of the earliest organic apples for the year. We have been getting a lot of phone calls from retailers keen to stock an early season organic apple."

Flavor the focus at PMA

Honey Bear Tree Fruit Company has been attending PMA Fresh Summit for a long time. The company is focusing on the fundamentals and this year will be offering samples. According to the company, flavor profile is becoming a vital part of apple marketing, and retailers are more interested in it. There will be a stronger focus on the newer varieties as well.

"We will be presenting all of our available varieties this year in Orlando," Steensma shared. "Retailers are showing a stronger interest in the newer varieties so we will make sure to discuss them and share our current programs. There is also a strong shift back to the flavor profile, with stores keen to stock the tastier varieties. Consumers are very responsive to the flavor profile in apples and having a good tasting apple leads to more repeat sales."

Article by Dennis Rettke

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