The Truth About How Washington's Apples Really Get Picked

The Old Way Still Rules Many Orchards:

For decades, apple picking meant workers climbing ladders with canvas bags strapped to their shoulders. This traditional method remains popular across Washington State's vast apple orchards. 

Hand-picking allows workers to carefully select ripe fruit while leaving unripe apples on the tree for later harvest. This selective approach ensures only the best apples reach grocery store shelves.

Why Machines Are Taking Over Some Farms:

Washington apple growers face serious challenges finding enough workers during harvest season. Labor shortages have pushed many farm owners toward mechanical solutions. 

Modern harvesting machines can work faster than human crews and operate longer hours without breaks. These machines use gentle shaking systems that vibrate tree branches, causing ripe apples to fall onto padded catching surfaces below.

Different Apples Need Different Treatment:

The harvesting method often depends on where the apples will end up. Premium varieties like Honeycrisp and Gala heading to fresh produce sections still get picked by hand. 

Workers can inspect each apple and handle it gently to prevent bruising. However, apples destined for juice, applesauce, or other processed products can handle rougher treatment from mechanical harvesters.

Technology Gets Smarter Every Year:

Today's harvesting machines are nothing like the crude equipment from decades past. Engineers have developed systems that can shake trees with precise force levels. 

Some machines even use sensors to detect fruit ripeness and adjust their operation accordingly. Soft fabric catching systems replace hard surfaces to minimize damage during collection.

Money Talks In Harvesting Decisions:

Farm owners must balance quality concerns against rising labor costs. Hiring enough workers for hand-picking can cost thousands of dollars per acre during harvest season. 

Mechanical harvesters require large upfront investments but can pay for themselves over several seasons. Weather also plays a role, as machines can work in light rain when human workers might need to stop.

The Numbers Tell The Real Story:

Washington produces about 60 percent of America's apples from roughly 175,000 acres of orchards. 

While exact statistics vary by year, industry experts estimate that mechanical harvesting handles approximately 30 to 40 percent of the state's total apple crop. 

This percentage continues growing as technology improves and labor becomes more expensive.

Both Methods Will Stick Around For Years To Come:

The apple industry will likely use both harvesting methods for the foreseeable future. Premium fresh market apples will probably always need human hands for the careful selection and gentle handling that consumers expect. 

Processing apples can efficiently move to mechanical systems as the technology becomes more affordable and reliable.