Lycoming County may not have been hit as hard as areas north of it, which are seeing devastating effects from a March frost, but it still is feeling a loss.
"We have a half-decent crop. Some of the earlier varieties bloomed early," said John Lorson, who owned A.P. Lorson Fruit Farm before his oldest son Anthony took over.
Lorson said the farm, 292 Lorson Road, Williamsport, is expecting to have about 75 percent of its apple crop this year. He added that 25 percent of its apples were "killed" in the March frost.
Lorson couldn't explain why the crop was hit so hard this year, only saying, "It's mother nature."
Lorson is better off than others in the area, though. Daniel Steinbacher, owner of Steinbacher Orchards, said he's only expecting about half of his crop to come in.
"I don't really know yet," he said. "(It's) fairly light compared to last year."
Steinbacher said he hasn't begun picking the crop at his orchard, 152 Apple Lane, Williamsport, yet.
Both Steinbacher and Lorson said they have heard about the scarce apple crops in other areas, such as New York.
Lorson believes the small crop will have those looking for apples traveling to find them.
Both men also said that those buying apples better be prepared to pay top dollar for them. Steinbacher even guessed that apple products, such as cider, will be hard to find.
Lorson added that not only are consumers going to be hurt by this, but the producers, as well.
"What it does is cut down on the profit," he said.
Steinbacher is just happy he has any apples.
"Upstate New York is pretty much wiped out. Michigan is wiped out," he said. "Around here, it's hard to guess what we're going to end up with. I'm guessing around 50 percent but at least we have something."
