Growing Fruit

Growing Fruit

Growing Fruit. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report.

Updated national statistics show that the Northwest and Oregon is a leader in the production of many types of fruits. This year, harvest will generally be a few weeks early. According to Lindsay Eng of the Oregon Department of Agriculture there should be plenty of fresh, local fruit products available over the next couple of months.

ENG:  We produce a variety of fruits and nuts, very high quality fruits and nuts that are valued in our local markets, national markets, and all over the world.

The Northwest is a great place to experience a wide variety of fruits.

ENG:  Great demand for those products overseas. Locally, we have a very vibrant local food scene, vibrant farmers' market scene, vibrant u-pick scene.

Eng says Oregon has some competitive advantages when it comes to growing delicious, high quality fruits and nuts.

ENG: It's our climate, our soils, it's the farmers that have been producing fruits and nuts for many, many years and have a lot of experience.

Oregon in particular grows virtually all of the nation's commercial blackberries, boysenberries, marionberries, and hazelnuts in addition to being a top producer of raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, sweet cherries, and pears.Those that take advantage of the local food scene and get out and do u-pick, and pick the blueberries and the raspberries and cherries throughout the year, know that very well.

That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.

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