Apple market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh apple market in Northern America grew from 5 060 K t in 2018 to 5 418 K t in 2019, supported by a 10% expansion in U.S. apple-bearing acreage that boosted production capacity. During this period, India's retaliatory tariffs on U.S. apples altered trade flows, though exports to other destinations remained robust.

Market volume declined to 4 867 K t by 2022, with a notable drop in 2021 following an unprecedented June heatwave in Washington state that damaged fruit and reduced available supply. Consumer preferences simultaneously shifted markedly toward varieties like Honeycrisp, whose production rose 48% over five years, while traditional varieties such as Red Delicious contracted.

A strong recovery occurred in 2023, with the market reaching 5 526 K t, driven by high production levels and advanced storage technologies that increased the share of apples destined for the fresh market. Rising demand for organic and premium apple varieties, alongside more evenly spread imports throughout the season, further supported this growth.

Production apple in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern America produced 5 056 thousand tons of apples, which represents a 6.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 10.4%, averaging an annualized rate of 3.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 048 thousand tons. That same year saw the largest decline of 10.5%, while 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Apple production in Northern America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of apple output reached 3 943 million US dollars, marking a 3.1% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 18.6%, with an annualized rate of 6.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 138 million US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 at 20.8%, while 2018 saw the largest increase of 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apple from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, apple exports from Northern America totaled 40.9 thousand tons, showing a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 34.3 thousand tons. That year also experienced the largest decline of 27.1%, while 2019 saw the most significant increase of 20.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, apple exports from Northern America showed a broad distribution across various markets. Vietnam accounted for 17.6% of exports in kind, Cuba for 8.6%, and Israel for 2.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 28.6% of total export flows, indicating a diversified market presence.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern America in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, apple exports from Northern America showed a modest recovery. In 2020, export value reached 31.9 million US dollars, reflecting a 3.1% increase compared to the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 21%, with an annualized rate of 7.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 30.9 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, apple exports in value terms from Northern America were characterized by a wide spread across markets. Vietnam accounted for 14.7% of export value, Cuba for 3.5%, and Israel for 1.5%. Combined, these three markets represented just 19.8% of total export flows, highlighting the diversified nature of export destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern America in value, 2017-2020

Imports apple to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, apple imports into Northern America reached 33.6 thousand tons, showing a sharp decline of 29.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 28.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 47.9 thousand tons. That year also saw the largest increase of 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, apple imports into Northern America were not heavily concentrated among suppliers. Chile accounted for 10.0% of imports in kind, New Zealand for 3.9%, and Italy for 2.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 16.3% of total import flows, indicating a broadly diversified supply base.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern America in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, apple imports into Northern America stood at 191.3 million US dollars, down by 11.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15.4%, with an annualized rate of 5.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 0.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Chile accounted for 12.5% of apple imports in value terms, New Zealand for 7.0%, and Italy for 2.0%. While these were among the largest suppliers to Northern America, together they represented just 21.5% of total import value, demonstrating a broadly diversified partner base.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern America in value, 2017-2020