The United States is the world's second-largest producer of apples, behind the People's Republic of China. Poland, Turkey and Italy complete the list of the world's top apple-producing countries.

Approximately one out of every four apples harvested in the United States is exported. Exports have been increasing dramatically over the past decade, due to economic growth and increased disposable income in developing countries, and substantial industry export promotion efforts. Leading export markets include Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.

Almost 63% of the apples grown in the United States in 2004 were sold as fresh fruit, the rest of the apples were processed into apple products. The majority of the processing apples went to apple juice production, followed by canned, frozen and dried apple products.

The Red Delicious apple remains the most grown in the United States with an estimated 62 million bushels harvested in 2005 — more than twice as many as the number two apple, the Golden Delicious. However, production of other varieties, such as the Gala and Fuji, is increasing rapidly. In addition, there are several "new" apple varieties, such as the Honeycrisp and Zestar!, that are gaining a large public following, even though their current production levels remain relatively small.

The value of U.S. apple production was estimated at just over $1.6 billion in 2004, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this was down slightly from 2003, when the farm-gate value of production topped $1.8 billion.

The U.S. apple industry has seen a financial strengthening in recent years as apple demand has increased, bringing higher prices to growers. The improvement in the industry comes after it suffered significant losses, estimated at $1.7 billion, from 1996 to 2001, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. Unfairly priced apple juice concentrate imports, increasing regulatory costs, stagnant domestic consumption, food retail consolidation, subsidized foreign competition, diminished export demand and global overproduction are all to blame. To soften the economic blow, the industry received some direct federal assistance in 2001 and 2002.

For a more detailed economic picture of the U.S. apple industry, contact USApple staff by telephone at (703) 442-8850.