The 2024 apple crop is winding down in Pennsylvania as the state readies to move into harvesting the 2025 crop. "We expect to be picking/packing/shipping new crop Honeycrisp and Gala at the beginning of August," says Valerie Ramsburg of Rice Fruit Company. "The timing will be similar to last year within about a week or so."
© Rice Fruit Company
This harvest comes following, to date, warm temperatures this summer with ample rainfall, both of which are ideal for sugar development and sizing.
© Rice Fruit Company
Good summer apple demand
As for the demand for apples, summer demand has been more robust than a year ago. "We are ready to gear up as harvest brings on an array of delicious, freshly harvested Eastern apples," says Ramsburg. "Consumers will find a great variety of apples featured as they plan their end-of-summer gatherings and focus on getting into the back-to-school routines."
© Rice Fruit Company
That said, grower-shippers are going into this new season with some not-so-new worries. "Labor is always a concern going into a new picking season, and this year is no exception. We rely on colleagues at USApple to ensure good communication with government officials about the importance of farm labor and the impact on the produce industry as a whole," says Ramsburg.
For more information:
Valerie Ramsburg
Rice Fruit Company
[email protected]
www.ricefruit.com
