Vermont apple harvest not as dire as feared

Vermont began its apple harvest about ten days earlier than usual and producers expect to wrap up the 2010 season early as well -- by late October. Despite a few problems through the season -- ranging from late frosts to labor shortages and hail, most growers are optimistic that this will be a good year. They are finding prices holding steady or increasing slightly in response to the national crop forecast, which is down about six percent from 2009. Vermont’s 2010 crop is expected to be 786,000 bushels, a 17 percent drop from last year, and a 14 percent drop from the state’s five-year average.
Ray Allen of Allenholm Farm in South Hero is pleased with the season so far, saying, ‘Our crop has good size and great flavor. We’re happy with where we are with this year’s harvest.’ Saxton’s River Orchard manager Glen Schreiter said, ‘It’s been dry down this way, so our new irrigation system really paid off for us. Our apples have good size, good color, good taste--- and we’re just halfway through the season. Our Macs are still tight on the tree, and have great color.’
Tom Smith whose Mad Tom’s Orchard in East Dorset was heavily hit by frost in May is still optimistic, saying, ‘We’re just over a third of the way through harvest. Even though we’ll be down almost fifty percent this year, the condition of the crop is very good.’
Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture Roger Allbee commented on the 2010 crop, ‘Conditions in the spring made us a little nervous, but we’re delighted with how the crop is turning out. Growers can live with a smaller crop as long as the prices are reasonably strong. The fact that the national crop is shorter than normal has helped keep prices high enough for the growers, but still very affordable for Vermont consumers. I had the pleasure of visiting an orchard last week and the apples tasted fabulous. We picked a bag to bring back for staff and for the Foodbank. ‘
The Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association, founded in 1896 as the Vermont State Horticultural Society, represents Vermont’s commercial apple growers. According to New England Agricultural Statistics, the average value of Vermont’s apple crop between 2005 and 2009 was $14.168 million.
Source: Vermont AOA. 9.25.2010