AbstractPre‐harvest spraying of orchard trees with aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) suppressed ethylene production in apples at picking and during barn storage. Fruit firmness was not affected at harvest, but the fruit softened more slowly and remained greener longer after picking. Changes in volatile aroma components were noted and autocatalytic stimulation of ethylene was not possible. AVG did not reduce the acceptability of the fruit at harvest time: subsequently an increased preference for fruits from unsprayed trees was shown by a sensory assessment panel.