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Arctic Apples conclude 2020 with largest harvest to date

Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), developer and grower behind the Arctic apple, announced the completion of the 2020 Arctic apple harvest, its largest to date.

The apples were harvested in Washington state, where 1,350 acres of Arctic apple orchards are planted. The Arctic Golden harvest yielded approximately 8,400 bins or almost eight million pounds. The Arctic Granny harvest recently concluded and yielded approximately 5,500 bins or five million pounds. This is twice the size of the 2019 harvest and is attributed to an increase in harvestable acreage from last year and the trees, which as they mature, produce more fruit.

This is twice the size of the 2019 harvest and is attributed to an increase in harvestable acreage from last year and the trees, which as they mature, produce more fruit.

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“We are thankful for our team of over 150 harvesters who have made this season possible,” said Bob Wilkinson, director of sales for OSF. “We’re proud to see the Arctic apple volume continue to grow and look forward to our buyers and consumers giving this season’s high quality, delicious apples a try.”

Arctic apples are developed and grown specifically for fresh cut applications. Arctic apples use the apple’s own genes to “turn off” the enzyme responsible for making apples turn brown when cut or bruised. According to OSF, the result is a longer shelf life apple that tastes and looks better, which means less food waste from harvest to consumption.

The company also enlisted a videographer to join the harvest process and document the journey of Arctic apples from harvest to packaging. The video is in the process of being made but shows an effort on behalf of the company to invite the consumer into the harvest process.