It looks like another record year for Michigan’s apple orchards. Right now gala harvest is getting underway nicely and Scott Swindeman of AllFresh GPS says Honeycrisp will be coming off now and by the middle of next week will be in good production. “To me this seems to be the largest fresh apple crop that the state of Michigan has ever produced,” said Swindeman. “Size and quality on everything at this point in time looks very, very good.” He was right.
A press release of the official apple crop estimate for 2016 issued by the Michigan Apple Committee indicated the state’s apple growers will harvest approximately 31 million bushels this year – an increase of 7 million bushels from last year. “We have been seeing a steady increase in crop size each year,” said Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee. “This increase is in large part because of technological advances, as well as an increase in the number of growers participating in high-density plantings (1,000 or more trees per acre).”
AllFresh grower, Rob Steffens
In 2015, Michigan growers harvested about 24 million bushels of apples. Average Michigan Apple harvest is about 22.83 million bushels per year. There are more than 11.3 million apple trees in commercial production, covering 35,500 acres on 825 family-run farms in Michigan. “Michigan had favorable weather conditions for growing apples during spring and summer 2016. Growers are indicating that the crop is plentiful and looks beautiful as well. Thanks to plenty of heat during the summer, the flavor will be great, too.” Something that plays an important role for growers Swindeman says is the local retailing program. “Our retailers in the Midwest here support local programs very well. That’s a big plus for us.”
For more information:
Scott Swindeman
AllFresh GPS
Ph: 616-606-0200