Apples are America’s favorite fruit, with 26 lbs of apples and apple juice consumed per person, per year. The U.S. apple production has been steadily growing over the last 75 years. While there was a slowdown in the 2000s following a boom in the 1990s, the industry has recovered and is returning to the long-term trend line. (Source: US Apple Industry Outlook 2024)
With respect to year-over-year changes, Washington’s production is expected to fall by 1% – a decrease of around 3 million bushels. USDA attributed this slight decline to weather conditions that were similarly favorable relative to last season.
Washinton continues to lead the U.S. in production for both fresh and processing apples. In the 2024/25 CY, it is expected that the state will be responsible for 72% of the fresh apples and 42% of the processing apples grown in the U.S.
Washington State is followed by Michigan with 29M bushels (-10%), New York State with 31M bushels (+4%). Pennsylvania is expected to decrease its apple output by almost 8%. California, Oregon, and the “other” states are also predicted to decrease production, shedding a combined 1 million bushels over last year’s levels. Virgina’s production is estimated to grow to more than 5 million bushels, an increase of 4%.
| USDA 2024/25 Forecast | 2023/24 US Apple | 5-Yr. Average | |
| United States | 282.0 | 288.0 | 269.2 |
| Washington | 178.0 | 181.0 | 167.1 |
| New York | 30.9 | 29.6 | 32.4 |
| Michigan | 28.5 | 31.9 | 26.1 |
| Pennsylvania | 12.1 | 13.1 | 11.9 |
| California | 5.4 | 5.7 | 5.2 |
| Virginia | 5.2 | 5.0 | 4.7 |
| Oregon | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.6 |
| Other | 17.7 | 18.3 | 17.9 |
Apple Varieties:
Over the last five years, Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp® and Pink Lady/Cripps Pink have been on the rise.
At the varietal level, Gala is expected to retain the top spot, accounting for around 17% of the U.S. apple market. Rounding out the top five are Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Fuji.
| By Variety | WA | By Variety | US | |
| Gala | 19% | Gala | 17.1% | |
| Red Delicious | 13% | Red Delicious | 12.3% | |
| Granny Smith | 15% | Granny Smith | 10.0% | |
| Honeycrisp | 12% | Honeycrisp | 9.8% | |
| Fuji | 11% | Fuji | 9.4% | |
| Golden Delicious | 4% | Golden Delicious | 7.3% | |
| Cosmic Crisp | 10% | Cosmic Crisp | 5.8% | |
| Pink Lady / Cripps Pink | 9% | Pink Lady / Cripps Pink | 5.3% | |
| Envy | 4% | Rome | 3.1% | |
| Ambrosia | 3% | Others | 8.3% |
Apples, both organic and conventional, are part of FruitSmart’s core business; contact us today for your apple needs, especially cold pressed NFC, apple juice.
