Apple market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. fresh apple market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 3.8 million tons in 2018 and peaking at 4.3 million tons in 2019. After a contraction to 4.0 million tons in 2020, the market stabilized around 3.9 million tons in 2021 and 2022 before rising sharply to 4.6 million tons in 2023. In value terms, the market followed a similar trajectory, growing from $4.3 billion to $5.9 billion over the period, with a temporary decline in 2020.

The significant market expansion in 2023 was driven by the emergence of new hybrid apple varieties and increased contract farming, fueled by rising health awareness and consumer demand for fresh produce. Technological advancements, such as blockchain traceability partnerships and improvements in cold chain logistics, enhanced supply efficiency and product quality, supporting the growth in both volume and value. Major industry players, including Washington Fruit & Produce Co., maintained key roles in supply during this period.

Production apple in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked second globally in apple production volume.

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

In 2020, the United States produced 4,665 thousand tons of apples, marking a 7.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.8%. The lowest production level occurred in 2018 at 4,645 thousand tons. That year also saw the largest decline of 11.4%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, apple output in the United States was valued at 4,938 million US dollars, reflecting a significant contraction of 14.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 12.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 5,804 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apple from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Apple exports from the United States declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 808.1 thousand tons, a 3.0% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 11.2%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.9%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 928.8 thousand tons, which also saw a 2.0% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Canada, and India were the primary destinations for US apple exports in volume terms, accounting for 30.5%, 17.2%, and 10.0% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 57.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Apple export values from the United States fell for the second year in a row in 2020, totaling 855 million US dollars, a strong contraction of 11.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,016 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico, Canada, and India were the main destinations for US apple exports in value terms, absorbing 27.9%, 17.5%, and 9.2% of exports, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 54.6% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports apple to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, apple imports to the United States reached 107.8 thousand tons, a 24.9% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 34.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 9.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017-2020, Chile, New Zealand, and Canada were the leading sources of apple imports to the United States in volume terms, contributing 51.5%, 25.0%, and 15.2% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 91.8% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, imported apple volumes to the United States amounted to 181 million US dollars, corresponding to a robust drop of 24.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 32.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Chile and New Zealand consistently accounted for 80.9% of total apple import value to the United States, indicating a high degree of market concentration alongside a long tail of smaller suppliers.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020