The apple harvest is just about to start in Tasmania and grower Howard Hansen from Hansen Orchards is hopeful of a return to a normal season after hail destroyed a whole orchard in the Huon Valley in the 2022 season.
“I’m hoping we used all our bad luck last year,” said Howard. “We have a full crop of apples and they are looking good. We did have a wet spring which made flowering a bit of challenge and the windows to get in and spray were narrow.”
On the mainland all regions have had weather challenges some with flooding and severe hail, but the Tasmanian crop is in good shape.
“We could have started the harvest this week, but it has been wet and cold and we are in no hurry. We will start Tuesday next week with Galas, Fuji then Golden Delicious, before starting our largest volume variety, Jazz in late March.
Hansen’s works with Montague and T&G Global to export EnvyTM . “I expect that after the devastation of cyclone Gabrielle in New Zealand, more Australian Envy may be needed to supplement the programs into Asia. With our other varieties we focus on the domestic market which will also be strong this season.”
Hansen is also upgrading the apple packing facility for this season, the old facility was built by Howard’s grandfather 70 years ago. The new apple packing facility will be in a new building with a mix of new, second hand and relocated machinery.
“We only pack 25,000 bins a year so we are not huge players in the apple market, but this facility includes new offices and loading bays which we can also use for the cherry side of the business.”
For more information:
Howard Hansen
Hansen Orchards
Tel: +61 3 6264 0200
Email: howard@hansenorchards.com.au