10/11/05 Idaho fruit harvest pretty good

10/11/05 Idaho fruit harvest pretty good

If you ask most fruit growers in Idaho, especially those in the Southwestern part of the state, it is turning out to be a pretty good harvest for 2005. WILLIAMSON: We're real pleased with this year. Volume is down just a little bit. That's Canyon County Idaho grower Sue Williamson. And her comment about the volumes stem from the same problems that faced growers throughout the Northwest & heavy rains and winds in May and early June that caused poor pollenization for some crops. WILLIAMSON: So not as many fruit on the trees, especially with the cherries. Pretty good crops on the apricots. And like those varieties, other fall time fruits are showing a mixed output from the weather. For example, Williamson says peaches were down some what, but that apples are looking about average. Apple harvest continues in Southwest Idaho for almost another month. But while fruit volumes have been mixed this year, Williamson says there has been strong demand for product, especially peaches. WILLIAMSON: Actually we have gone in more places this year than we've done in a lot of years. All of our white peaches went to Taiwan. Some of those designations for Idaho peaches have included places like Minnesota, Dallas, Boston, and Philadelphia. So while the volume is down for some crops, the supply, along with the quality, has mostly helped both the price and demand of Idaho fruit.
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