Washington State

U.S. apple crop forecast at 256 million bushels

The U.S. apple crop for 2023-24 is expected to top 256 million 42-pound bushels, according to the U.S. Apple Association. USApple’s forecast is about 6 million bushels over the USDA’s annual forecast. The USDA released... more »

USDA ends Washington apricot marketing order

The USDA is terminating the marketing order that regulates the handling of Washington apricots. The marketing order was established in 1957 but has been operating without handling requirements since 2014, when they were suspended to... more »

Honeybear Brands to market Elite Apple’s fruit

Elite Apple Co., Sparta, Michigan, will be joining forces with Honeybear Brands to market its apple varieties. Elite Apple Co. is a privately-held, grower-owned production facility. For more than 40 years, the family of growers that... more »

High-altitude pears: Organics big part of Prey’s Fruit Barn & Orchards

Organics are important for Prey’s Fruit Barn & Orchards. For nearly half a century, the Wenatchee Valley farm has grown pears in elevations as high as 1,500 feet in Washington’s picturesque Cascade Mountains. The valley’s... more »

Magic Star apple nears commercial debut in the U.S.

Fresh Forward, a plant breeder and marketing company in Huissen, The Netherlands, has been chosen as the exclusive U.S. propagation and commercialization manager for WUR200 cv. — the apple branded as Magic Star. “We have... more »

Brett Reasor joins Columbia Fruit as CEO

Brett Reasor will be joining New Columbia Fruit Packers LLC (Columbia Fruit) as its CEO on March 1. Current CEO Mike Wade will transition to the role of chairman. ... more »

SweeTangos hit retail shelves after Labor Day

SweeTango apple growers and packers are universally singing the praises of this year’s crop, and urging retailers to place orders now to take advantage of the brand’s marketing plans. Fruit will start shipping right after... more »

Washington wine research seminar scheduled

Registration is open for WAVEx, a condensed version of the popular research seminar called Washington Advancements in Viticulture and Enology (WAVE). The half-day session on July 11, 2018, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Chateau Ste. Michelle... more »

PMA hires regional VP for western US, Canada

The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has created a senior leadership position for its West Coast presence. Produce industry veteran Steve Lutz joins the association’s staff next month... more »

Cool springs set well with fruit tree growers

Stable springs without hard frosts are sitting well for fruit tree growers around the country. In Washington state, growers are set up for a good growing season. “A great spring where it isn’t too hot... more »

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