More erratic growing conditions in the last few years have captured the attention of Washington apple industry observers.
The weather has been more unpredictable than usual, many marketers say.
Last year’s extreme temperatures of over 100 degrees for multiple weeks and this year’s late winter storm that hurt pollination were unusual, said Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing for Sage Fruit Company, Yakima, Wash.
“While it is a bit concerning going forward and makes it a bit more difficult to predict upcoming crops, we will learn to adapt,” Sinks said.
“There is no question that weather has been unique the past few years, especially in the Northwest,” said Brianna Shales, director of marketing for Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, Wash.,
For 2022, the cold spring weather has made the Washington apple crop “one of the hardest to know the reality on. Knowledge about the crop, fruit size and condition is always helpful to planning, and this year has been harder to predict,” she said.
Severe swings in temperature have led to smaller crops in 2021 and 2022, said Scott Hennessey, sales representative for Evans Fruit, Yakima, Wash.
Oppressive heat in 2021 and record cold in April of 2022 during bloom caused problems for growers, he said.
“We have adjusted to the higher summer temps with more overhead irrigation, which seems to lower the temp 2 to 4 degrees in the orchard,” Hennessey said.
Roger Aguirre, Oppy’s director of apples and pears, said growers have seen more days above 100 degrees than ever experienced before. “Those records continue to break,” he said. “We need certain rainfall, snowpack and sun to grow the crop effectively — so it’s absolutely been a concern that we see these increasing weather events.”
While weather conditions have presented challenges in the last couple of years, the industry is adjusting, said Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission.
“When it comes to future production there are several positive advances the industry is making to combat the weather,” Fryhover said. Some of these advances include mitigation procedures, netting, cooling and looking into varieties that need less water, he said.
Shales said growers know that Mother Nature “likes to throw curveballs,” but she expressed confidence that growers can adapt to the changes.
“We are fortunate to live and grow apples in the best ground in the world, and expect that to carry forward for the future,” she said.
Dan Davis, director of business development for Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers, Wenatchee, Wash., echoed that sentiment about the ability of growers to adjust as needed.
Davis said it seems as though the weather has gotten less and less predictable, with more major swings in the last few years.
“Of course, it’s a concern, but it’s nothing new for our growers,” Davis said. “They bet their livelihood on Mother Nature every year, and they’re really good at what they do.”
