Washington apple crop may set record

YAKIMA – Washington growers are expecting another record apple crop, saying this year’s harvest could be the largest ever.

Growers and packers are forecasting a harvest of 140 million boxes of apples.

If that happens, it would easily top the 2012 record of 129 million boxes, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported Saturday.

Jon DeVaney, executive director of the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association, said they’re expecting a good-sized crop of high-quality apples.

He credits warm spring weather and more high-density orchards, because growers have not increased their acreage in 20 years.

A few Yakima Valley growers have started harvesting Gingergolds.