The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) has projected a 15% in apple production this season, with volume set to reach 132.9 million standard forty pound boxes.

The association said this figure was still down 6% on the 2014 record crop of 141.8 million boxes.

"Weather in 2016 has been favorable for the development of a high-quality crop with good color and storability. In addition, harvest has begun 1-2 weeks earlier as a result of those conditions," WSTFA president Jon DeVaney said in a release.

"Washington apple growers expect to deliver a large crop of beautiful apples to consumers this year."

Consumers will have many varieties of Washington apples to choose from. While Red Delicious remains the most numerous variety with a projected 25% of production, Gala is close behind at 23%, followed by Fuji at 14% and Granny Smith at 13% of total production.

This year Honeycrisp is forecast to come in at 7% of the total crop and Cripps Pinks at 4%.

This forecast is based on a survey of WSTFA members, and represents a best estimate of the total volume of apples that will eventually be packed and sold on the fresh market (excluding product sent to processors).

The apple harvest typically begins in early August and continues into November, and as a result this forecast is still subject to several months of variable weather which can affect the final season’s crop total.

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