2010 Washington State Apple Crop Estimates Could Be Wrong

The Washington State new crop apple crop target of 108 million fresh pack boxes could be over estimated.

The reason is the amount of defects on the tree due to freeze damage and isolated hail in several growing districts.  The trees are not necessarily overloaded with apples on the trees and the fruit has to size up quite a bit in order to hit the 108 million target. The 2009 crop was over estimated and this 2010 crop has too many variables to lock in that it will be this large of volume.

The first report is that the crop will be down one to two sizes and it could be a large peak on 100-113 count which is a 2 7/8 inch to 2 5/8 diameter apple. There will be a large volume of smaller apples this year according to many industry sources.

The Washington State gala crop is now being picked, but in general the apples will be two weeks behind normal picking dates due to the cool spring and summer.