Batlow apple farmers are certainly having a ‘good year’ however it is probably the best in the last four or five, rather than the biggest harvest ever, according to grower Ralph Wilson of Wilgro Orchard. “It’s essentially the case that we have had quite a big year, but it’s not the biggest we’ve had. Certainly all of the coolrooms are not overflowing,” he told Fresh Plaza. “We are storing fruit for other growers, but that also just means that they’ve got very small cool rooms.” The Batlow Fruit Cooperative received a bigger than expected harvest, equating to around 50 000 bins, or 18 000 tonnes of apples according to media reports. Hail in the Batlow area also means that about 10% of the crop where Mr Wilson grows will likely end up as juicing quality.
The apple crop Australia wide has been big this year, according to Mr Wilson, and he also attributed the 10% increase in fuji apple production to the fact that it is a biennial bearing variety, having an ‘on’ year. “With fuji that’s a function of biennial bearing of fuji fruit. We call it an on year and an off year. This year was an on year,” he said. Pink Lady production remained high because it is still one of the most popular varieties for consumers, according to him.
Despite the continued popularity of the well known varieties, Mr Wilson said he has grafted over some of his Pink Lady trees and planted newer varieties such as Kenzi, which is atypical for the Batlow area. “I suppose we’re an atypical grower for this area, but we’re trying something different,” he said.
Wilgro supplies mainly Pink Lady and Royal gala apples to the domestic market, and Mr Wilson says that the amount his orchard yields is enough to satisfy that market, but doesn’t rule out exporting in the near future. “Most of what we grow would be exported as ‘Aussie Apples’ rather than a branded product,” he said.
For more information
Ralph Wilson
Wilgro Orchards
Phone: +61427491224
E-mail: ralphjw@bigpond.com.au
Website: www.wilgroorchards.com.au