Grow fruit with market in mind

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Published: November 14, 2002

Fruit growers should focus on their markets when making planting

decisions, said Bob Bors, assistant professor in plant sciences at the

University of Saskatchewan.

“You ought to think backwards,” he told a Saskatchewan Fruit Growers

conference in Saskatoon Nov. 2.

Growers should first determine if their market lies in U-pick, native

varieties, organic or health food areas as each has different

requirements.

He said grocery stores are looking for a bright and beautiful

appearance and a variety of different coloured apples to display.

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“A loud, noisy apple is the best.”

Red remains the No. 1 choice for apples, he said. Red and black colours

in fruit hide bruises while yellow and green make imperfections easier

to see. Dark red is perceived to be overripe and a natural waxy coating

on berries is often mistaken as dust.

U-pick operations require good flavour, size, colour, low weeds and

easy access in the picking fields in addition to varieties maturing at

different times.

“Large size really sells,” he said, noting larger fruit also picks

faster, has larger air spaces in packing boxes and keeps longer.

Wholesale markets require firm products in different colours for

display that will transport well and have a long shelf life. Growers

must have quick cooling capabilities and lots of varieties to extend

the selling season.

Retailers are looking for size, colour and shelf life, while processors

want consistency in product from one week to the next. Processors also

require tartness, high yields and varieties that can be mechanically

harvested.

He said Saskatchewan growers must produce enough to be economically

viable, but he cautioned against getting too big too fast.

Bors said Saskatchewan growers should also pay attention to reports

indicating California could take as many as 25,000 fruit acres out of

production next year due to water concerns.

“It could boom our industry,” he said.

About the author

Karen Morrison

Saskatoon newsroom

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