March USApple Tracker: Holdings high, fresh stocks down

USApple just dropped its latest Apple Tracker report and the data shows U.S. fresh apple holdings on March 1 totaled 73 million bushels, which is 9% less than inventories reported last March. March 2026 holdings are only 2% off the five-year average.

On the other side of the coin, U.S. processing apple holdings on March 1 totaled 35 million bushels, 9% more than inventories reported last March and 16% more than the March five-year average, according to USApple.

RELATED – Check out the February 2026 Apple Tracker report

Here are five quick takeaways from the report:

1. Honeycrisp and newer varieties continue gaining ground
   Premium varieties remain a dominant driver in the apple market. Honeycrisp continues to lead storage inventories, while newer branded varieties such as Cosmic Crisp maintain a growing presence in the supply mix.
2. Apple supplies ample heading into spring
   Total U.S. apple holdings remain strong, and inventories are above the five-year average, suggesting the industry continues to carry ample supplies even as shipments progress.
3. Fresh apple stocks tighter than last year
   Fresh-market inventories are down compared to the same time in 2025, which could help support pricing through late spring, provided consumer demand remains steady.
4. Processing apple inventories higher
   Apples destined for processing channels — including juice, sauce and slices — are running ahead of last year’s levels, indicating more fruit moving into value-added offerings.
5. Shipments from storage steady but slightly slower
   Movement from storage has been somewhat slower than last year, suggesting steady demand but not an aggressive drawdown of inventory, yet.

You can review the first four pages of the March 2026 report via the PDF below:

Head over to USApple.org to view the report in its entirety.