Aug 24, 2018

2018 Michigan apple crop expected to hit 28 million bushels

Michigan’s apple growers will harvest approximately 28 million bushels (1.176 billion pounds) of apples this year, according to the official crop estimate announced Aug. 24 at the USApple Outlook meeting in Chicago. Average Michigan Apple harvest is about 25.2 million bushels per year. There are more than 11.3 million apple trees in commercial production, covering 35,500 acres on 825 family-run farms in Michigan.

“Michigan had favorable weather conditions for growing apples during spring and summer 2018. That coupled with last year’s smaller crop means the trees are producing more fruit this year. Growers are indicating that the crop is plentiful and looks beautiful as well. Thanks to plenty of heat during the summer, the flavor will be great, too,” said Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee.

When trees produce smaller crops, as they did last year, due to a late spring frost, they store energy for the following crop. After a 20 million bushel crop in 2017, apple orchards in Michigan will produce more fruit in 2018.

Michigan apples are typically shipped from mid-August all the way through the following June. Michigan Apple packers and shippers work throughout the year to bring Michigan apples to 27 states and 18 countries worldwide, according to Smith.

 “Michigan apple growers share a common goal of producing flavorful, high-quality apples,” said Smith. “They work with tree fruit researchers to implement the latest growing techniques and use new technology to monitor growing conditions. Michigan growers are committed to bringing the best quality fruit to the consumer.”

 The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit MichiganApples.com.