Washington apple crop bigger than expected

By Associated Press

Summary

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports the latest estimate is based on larger production of Golden Delicious and Gala apples, which are picked early in the harvest.

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Story Published: Oct 14, 2008 at 8:00 AM PST

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 2:51 AM PST

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) - Washington's apple crop looks even bigger than growers expected this summer.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports the latest estimate is based on larger production of Golden Delicious and Gala apples, which are picked early in the harvest.

The executive director of the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association, Keith Mathews, told the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce on Monday the new estimate is for a crop of 101.6 million boxes. The August estimate projected 99.6 million boxes.

The state record apple crop is 105 million boxes in 2004. Each box of apples contains 40 pounds of fruit.