Market Watch
Smaller yields likely this year, but the focus should still be on getting the best quality possible and preparing for improvement in the long term.
F
rost damage during blossom is a difficult way to begin the new year, but some will have
to contend with that start this season, so it’s important growers look at what’s on the trees and plan from there, advises HankMarkgraf, field services manager for the Okanagan Tree Fruit Co-operative. At least, with a better season last
year, growers will have a few dollars in their pockets to handle what needs to be done. Sales of the last of the 2012 apple
crop finished up earlier than normal this year, with the last sold by B.C. Tree Fruits in early June. However, a bumper crop in neighbouringWashington State means they will likely still be selling fruit until harvest of the new crop begins. The top varieties at BCTF this
year were Ambrosia, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp,McIntosh and Spartan, reports Chris Pollock, while Royal Gala had another strong year, with similar volume and prices up by about nine per cent. Overall, prices were up by about
10 per cent on average across all varieties, grades and sizes, he said. Freezing temperatures during
blossom occurred in pockets, mainly in the Oliver and Osoyoos areas, while there was some early hail damage in the Summerland area. Cherries in the U.S. also sustained
some damage from frost during blossom, so the forecast is for a lighter crop from south of the border this year. Because of that,Markgraf expects
6
By Judie Steeves Don’t let that frost chill your efforts
there will be larger fruit from the south of the valley this year, but still a smaller crop than last year. Those growers who sustained
considerable damage must continue to farm, he noted. “You can cut back but you still have to look after your next season’s crop,” he advised. In the east this year, growers are
trying to thin a huge crop so there will be lots of competition from that part of the world, contrary to last year when those growers were virtually wiped out by a late spring frost. This year eastern growers will
have lots of small apples, predicted Markgraf, adding, “So, you don’t want to play in that game. Instead, you want to take larger fruit of good quality to the market.” The ideal size for apples is 80 to 88, he noted. Whatever you have to do is worth
it to grow the ideal size and good quality of fruit. The returns make it all worthwhile, he emphasized. He suggests growers look at their
orchards with the long term in mind. Assess blocks and think of exit times for some varieties or some blocks, so you reduce your
labour costs where the returns are inadequate. For instance, take out those old
Goldens, but not the young Spartans if you get good grades at packout. Today, it’s harder to get trees, so
growers must plan ahead. He figures 2016 is likely the earliest young trees would be available if you ordered today. “If you can’t grow a good crop on
old trees get rid of them,” he recommends. “Be proactive instead of reactive.” This year, upgrading to the cherry
line in Oliver should be complete for the season, and cherries for export will be run through the facilities in Kelowna, noted Pollock. Christine Dendy, president of the
B.C. Cherry Association, estimated they will see about two-thirds of a cherry crop this year, which she figures would be very manageable. More new plantings of cherries
are coming into production, so that will fill in the gaps caused by frost during bloom, she noted. Dendy said she is optimistic about
this year’s marketing of the cherry crop, particularly if growers maintain good fruit quality.
Complete custom fruit packing lines
or components
Custom stainless steel design manufacturing
and installation
Cherry Cluster Separators- Hydraulic or Cutting Tables
Waycon Innovation Inc. Hydro Chiller
Cherry Sizers/ electronic or roller
Bin Tippers Sorting Tables Box Filling Stations Box Conveyors Water Plenums
Sales and service 275 Waterloo Ave., Penticton, BC V2A-7J3 Sales Representative: Eric Pierce, E-mail
epierce@waycon.net
Cell: 250 488 0312 or Fax: 250 492 3200
www.wayconinnovation.com
British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Summer 2013
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