State apple growers estimate crop will match 2007

State apple growers are expected to produce about the same size crop as last year, the industry's promotional arm said Thursday in the first harvest estimate for the 2008 crop.

Directors of the Washington State Apple Commission -- a mixture of growers and packers from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys and the Columbia Basin -- projected the crop at more than 98.2 million boxes for the fresh market.

Should Thursday's estimate hold up, the crop will be only slightly smaller than the 2007 crop, now projected at about 98.3 million boxes.

The industry record is almost 105 million boxes a few years ago.

The commission makes the estimate to establish an operating budget for the coming year to promote fresh apples. The commission receives 3.5 cents for every box of apples sold to finance domestic and overseas promotion programs.

Washington state is the largest apple producer in the country.

Another crop estimate from the two organizations that track fruit movement -- the Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association and the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association -- will make a crop estimate early next month.

Prior to being notified he would be placed on administrative leave, Washington Apple Commission President DaveCarlson said commissioners believe the Upper Yakima Valley was hit hardest by spring frost that prompted the smaller crop.

Average fruit size could be lower for some varieties, primarily Red Delicious and Gala, the two largest varieties by volume in the state.

Concern also exists that the cool spring will delay fruit development and late-harvested varieties like Fuji, Granny Smith and Cripps Pink could still be on the trees during cold weather.

But Carlson said market demand is expected to be good with most of the 2007 crop sold and customers anxiously awaiting the new crop.

The commission also received a boost in financial support from a federal government program that helps domestic industries market overseas, he said.

"We are looking at a very good marketing year and hope the export markets will shine with a tremendous amount of demand," he said.

The commission's operating budget for the 2008-09 marketing season is $3.4 million.

Apple commission president placed on leave

During their monthly meeting Thursday in Wenatchee, the Washington Apple Commission placed President Dave Carlson on administrative leave effective Sept. 1.

Chairman Cragg Gilbert of Yakima said Carlson, who is from the Yakima area, had contributed much to the commission and the industry in his five years heading the commission.

Gilbert said he could not comment further on the action because it is a personnel matter.