Revell: 2025 Could Be Challenging For Central Washington Growers

The growing season is just getting started, but there are already concerns that it could be difficult year for producers in central Washington.  Scott Ravell, manager of the Roza Irrigation District said the Yakima Valley is dealing with some difficult economic conditions.

“Especially if they grow apples.  The price of apples is very low.  In many cases, these growers are actually losing several $1000 an acre. Wine grapes prices very low, a lot of contracts have been canceled.  And the same thing for hops.   Those are the primary crops in our district. And so, you're going to see a lot, if you if you were to just drive around today, you'll see a lot of orchards being removed. Particularly if they're older varieties.”

Revell believes roughly 10% of the acreage irrigated by the district will not have a crops grown on it this year.  And while much of that fallow is due to market reasons, Revell says money is not the only factor in the decision of growers.

“On top of that, because we're in the third year of a drought, I've had a number of farmers say, ‘well, look, I had this, this variety of apples was scheduled to go and be turned over in a couple of years. We're going to do it right now and then be able to take that water and put it elsewhere on their farm’,” Ravell added.

The latest irrigation forecast produced by the Bureau of Reclamation indicates senior water rights in the Yakima Valley will receive 100% full entitlements, but junior water rights will receive 58% of their full entitlements.

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