Michigan apple growers to harvest 30 million bushels in 2025
Michigan’s apple forecast has been released. Read how many bushels growers expect to harvest.
Michigan growers plan to harvest 30 million bushels of apples for the 2025-26 season.
Michigan’s official crop estimate of 30 million bushels (1.26 billion lbs.) of apples was announced Aug. 15 as part of the USApple Outlook meeting in Chicago. The 2025 estimate is above average for the Michigan Apple industry.
“As growers continue to plant high-density orchards and adopt other innovative growing practices, Michigan’s apple crop sizes will increase, and we will continue to see these larger crops,” Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, said in a news release. “Michigan Apple growers are proud to produce the largest and most valuable fruit crop in our state.”
Michigan harvested an estimated 30.5 million bushels of apples in 2024. There are more than 17.6 million apple trees in commercial production, covering 38,000 acres on 850 family-run farms in Michigan.
With no significant frost and freeze events in the spring, and a gradual warm up into summer, growers saw ideal conditions for apple production.
Many factors contribute to the size of an apple crop, including weather, bloom conditions and tree health. To make the estimate, growers and other industry experts report on what they are seeing in various regions of the state, then come to a consensus on the crop size estimate.
“Michigan Apple growers work with tree fruit researchers to implement the latest growing techniques and use new technology to monitor growing conditions. This includes weather, soil health and plant nutrition, among other factors. Michigan growers are committed to bringing the best quality fruit to the consumer,” Smith said in the release.
Michigan Apples are available year-round. The largest and most valuable fruit crop in the state can be found at about 200 farm markets and cider mills in Michigan as well as more than 12,000 retail groceries across the U.S., according to Smith.
Based in Lansing, Michigan, 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.