Aug 12, 2019

NASS forecasts 2019 Northwest fruit production

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) on Aug. 12 released estimates for fruit production in the Pacific Northwest for the current season.

NASS’ Olympia office detailed forecasts for Idaho, Oregon and Washington state.

Fruit tree production in Washington state is forecast to be up from 2018 – apples by 7%, and peaches by 20%.

Apples

Based on August 1, 2019 conditions, Oregon apple production is forecast at 145 million pounds, down 15% from 2018. At 68% of the U.S. apple production, Washington still ranks number one in apple production. Washington apple production is forecast at 7.20 billion pounds, up 7% from last year’s production.

Cranberries

Cranberry production in Oregon is forecast at 570,000 barrels, down 2% from 2018. Oregon ties for third in the nation for cranberry production.

Grapes

Washington total grape production is forecast at 450,000 tons, down 3% from last year. Of the 450,000 tons in Washington, 190,000 tons are forecast for juice grapes, down 7% from 2018. Washington wine grapes are forecast at 260,000 tons, down slightly from last year. Washington is the second-largest grape producer in the nation at 6% of national production.

Peaches

Washington peach production, at 16,000 tons, is up 20% from last year. Washington peach production is forecast as the seventh-largest in the U.S.

Pears

Total Oregon pear production, forecast at 260,000 tons, is up 6% from last year. Total Washington pear production, at 360,000 tons, is down 10% from 2018.

 Above: A bin of Honeycrisp apples waits in a Washington state orchard during the 2018 harvest. Photo: Stephen Kloosterman