Apple production in the United States runs from coast to coast with nearly three dozen states growing commercially. This output, in wholesale dollars, is valued in the neighborhood of $4 billion each year, according to the U.S. Apple Association.
Projections for the 2019-20 season from the USDA call for 253.1 million 42-pound boxes, though USApple believes output will be less, at 247.8 million cartons.
For the top regions, here are the dual predictions with USDA figures first and USApple second:
-Washington (171.4 million and 165 million);
-Eastern (46.1 million and 47.6 million); and
-Michigan (25 million and 25.25 million).
Globally, China leads production, with the United States a very distant second (though collectively, the European Union has higher production). The U.S.’s marketing season, generally August through July, mirrors Mexico.
China, the United States, and Mexico all experienced production ups and downs within the last year, including damaging weather events (especially in China) and trade volume affected by tariffs.
In Canada, the top three producing provinces are Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Apples rank second in the country for production acreage behind blueberries, but the two crops are very close in value.
