Washington Apple Commission Forecasting Fewer Apples For This Years’ Harvest Than Expected

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — With the majority of Washington’s apple crop picked, growers are downgrading their forecast for the harvest.

Washington Apple Commission announced Thursday that reports show that this year’s harvest will be 10% less than the 134 million boxes forecast in August, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported.

Among factors cited for the reduction were trees heading into a reduced growth cycle, workers doing more selective sort-picking in the orchards and a Labor Day windstorm that buffeted orchards in the Yakima Valley and elsewhere, damaging fruit, the commission said.

Apple growers also said sizing appeared to be smaller this year.

The apple commission also reported increased demand for the fruit because of the coronavirus pandemic turning people’s attention to more healthy foods.

With 65% of the nation’s apples grown in Washington, it’s the nation’s largest apple-producing state.