A wet apple harvest in New York has failed to cause any problems for growers aside from the difficulties associated with rainy harvest days. Overall, the crop came in with good yields and quality, and most growers have now completed picking and are now focused on packing and shipping.
"We have completed harvesting, which is the case for the majority of growers in New York," said Walter Blackler of Apple Acres in LaFayette. "The harvest concluded close to the normal time, if not slightly later. There was a lot of rain during the harvest which made it difficult for machinery to get out in the fields, however yields and quality were not affected."
Good availability on all varieties
Because the season produced a decent volume of apples, growers say there is good availability on all the major varieties right now. The good news is that demand is also matching the supply. All eyes are now on the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and how the market will subsequently react.
"Almost every variety of apple is available right now - including Gala, Macintosh and Empire, among others," Blackler noted. "Looking ahead to the storage crop, there will be good availability from New York this season. Apples are a big draw for Thanksgiving and therefore demand and movement are also strong. Prices though are a little weaker than we would like them to be."
New York growers excited for Snapdragon
The Snapdragon apple is a relatively new addition to orchards, and New York growers are proud to have this red variety to call their own. Each year, the acreage is increased to meet what suppliers say is growing demand.
"We are very enthusiastic about the Snapdragon apple here in New York," Blackler shared. "It's a new state apple for us and the quantity available keeps growing every year. Snapdragon is available domestically although there are a few companies that export it in limited amounts."
For more information:
Walter Blackler
Apple Acres
Tel: +1 (315) 677-5144
office@appleacresllc.com
www.appleacresllc.com