Return to normal numbers and exceptionally high fruit quality determine forecast

PUBLISHED ON 16 August 2024

YAKIMA, Wash. – The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) has released its forecast for the 2024 Washington state apple crop. The crop is estimated to be 124 million standard 40-pound boxes of fresh apples. This forecast represents a return to recent historical norms after two unusual years. The 2020 Washington apple crop was 122.5 million boxes, followed by 122.9 million in 2021. Cool and wet weather in 2022 led to a smaller crop of 103.9 million and then a much larger “recovery” crop in 2023 of 136.1 million boxes. This year, temperate weather has helped growers deliver a robust crop with high quality across all varieties. The forecast also shows a continued trend toward higher overall volumes of organic apples and new varieties, including Cosmic Crisp®.

“There is great excitement as we are experiencing a more normal crop and excellent fruit quality this year,” said Jon DeVaney, President of the WSTFA. “A temperate spring and warm early summer have created stable growing conditions so our domestic and international customers can expect the flavor, size, color and overall high quality that Washington apples are famous for. Harvest has now begun and I congratulate our growers on another great crop.”

The WSTFA forecast includes growth in the five most popular varieties. Gala is number one with 19% of production, followed by Granny Smith with 14.5%, Red Delicious with 13%, Honeycrisp with 12% and Fuji with 10.5%.

Cosmic Crisp®, developed by Washington State University as WA-38 specifically for Eastern Washington growing conditions, is expected to account for 9% of this year’s crop, representing a significant increase in popularity for the new variety that was introduced in 2019 and accounted for 1% of the crop in 2020 and 6% in 2023. Cripps Pink is expected to account for nearly 7% of the forecast crop, Envy and Golden Delicious each account for about 3.5%, and Ambrosia for 2%. All other varieties account for about 6%.

Organic apples make up nearly 16% of this year’s crop, compared to 11% of the crop five years ago, a sign that Washington growers are keeping up with consumer demand for organic apples. Washington state produces more than 90% of the nation’s organic apple production. Organic apples are grown, packed and marketed according to USDA National Organic Program standards, and WSTFA members continue to lead the way in this segment. “Our growers work hard to provide consumers with the apples they want and like, and for many consumers, that includes organic apples,” DeVaney added.

Washington apples are sold worldwide and are a strong seller in the domestic grocery trade. They are also vital to the state’s economy and are Washington’s most important agricultural product. Apples accounted for 16% ($2 billion) of the state’s total agricultural produce value in 2022. Nearly 30% of the crop is exported.

“Apples are synonymous with Washington State and we are known for producing the best apples in the world,” said Derek Sandison, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. “Thanks to more favorable growing conditions last year, we expect the anticipated crop to be high not only in quantity but also in quality. We are grateful to our growers for delivering a crop that is good for our state’s economy, our workforce and consumers around the world.”

The apple forecast is based on a survey of WSTFA members and represents the best estimate of the total amount of apples that will be harvested and packaged and sold on the fresh market in 2024. The estimate excludes apples sold to processors. The apple harvest typically begins in August and continues into November, so this forecast is subject to several more months of variable weather that may affect the final harvest quantity.

Video and audio of Jon DeVaney speaking about the 2024 apple forecast is available with this press release. B-roll footage of apple orchards and the apple harvest is available to the media upon request. Please contact Kasia Guzik, [email protected] to request B-roll footage.

About the Washington State Tree Fruit Association
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) represents Washington’s growers, packers and marketers of apples, pears and sweet cherries. The association provides education and training, data and statistics to inform market and production decisions, and public and government advocacy for the industry. Washington is the leading producer of these three important crops in the country, with grower production of over $2.8 billion, representing 30% of the state’s agricultural production value. In an average year, the apple crop alone had a total economic value of $7.5 billion to the state and supported nearly 40,000 direct and 21,000 indirect jobs in the state’s supporting industries. For more information, visit www.wstfa.org.

— Washington State Tree Fruit Association via PRNewswire