Favorable fruit outlook for 2020

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As February gets into full swing, producers are busy planning for the 2020 growing season.

Peter Hirst, Purdue University professor of horticulture and the assistant director of international programs in agriculture, recently shared an outlook of what 2020 is looking like for Hoosier fruit growers.

Hirst said one of the biggest issues facing Hoosier growers is the uncertainty related to immigration.

“Some producers rely largely on immigrant labor, especially for harvest,” Hirst said.

Hirst said that growers want some certainty to guarantee their workers won’t be deported and to plan for the future of their operation, but he added he isn’t sure that will be happening anytime soon.

In terms of weather and how fruit production is shaping up for the year, Hirst said he is optimistic it will be a good season.

“It has been a mild winter so far, but there is a way to go,” Hirst said.

Hirst said the growing season is looking pretty good and fruit like apples can withstand quite a bit of cold and even if temperatures get colder Hoosier producers are unlikely to see damage on apples.

Overall, the Hoosier fruit industry is in a positive place at this point, but it is still only February and there is still another month where anything can happen in terms of Mother Nature.