E. Washington also grows juice grapes

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Eastern Washington has a reputation for wine grapes, but it's also a major grower of Concord and Niagra grapes for juice, jams and fruit snacks.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports the state accounts for nearly half the U.S. production of the purple Concords and 40 percent of the white Niagras.

The state has 24,000 acres in juice grapes, compared with 31,000 acres in wine grapes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Four grape processing plants are located between Sunnyside and Prosser. The Concord Grape Association says they expect to turn 180,000 tons of grapes into juice concentrate. That compares with 249,000 tons last year.

The juice crop is down because some land has been switched to grow hops.