While the overall supply will be down, Ontario consumers can expect apples to be bursting with sweetness and flavour this harvest.
This is mostly due to a good amount of rainfall during July which encourages fruit growth and a dry, humid August which boosts flavour.
The sunshine changes an apple’s starch level into sugar.
The drop of harvest is expected to be 15% smaller when compared to 2020 and while still plentiful, consumers are asked if they’re looking for specific varieties of apples, they should consider a trip to orchards early.
Ontario Apple Grower Chair Cathy McKay says good news is many apples are maturing a few days to almost a week ahead of schedule which marks a perfect time to visit an orchard and enjoy fall weather.
The harvest drop is somewhat contributed to springtime frost, other attributes into consideration include this year being a “rest” year for apples as the fruit tends to have a large crop one year then resting the next year resulting in a lower production.
Ontario farmers grow around 15 varieites of apples along the shores of Lake Ontario, Erie, Huron and Georgian Bay.
The farm gate value of the Ontario apple crop is around $90 million.
