Aug 20, 2025

Washington State Tree Fruit Association predicts record Washington apple crop

The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) is projecting a record 2025 Washington fresh apple crop.

The country’s leading apple producer predicts a large crop with high fruit quality, but notes that labor challenges and market conditions may force growers to be selective about what they pick, according to a news release.

While the forecast would match the previous record, growers report labor shortages and market conditions may drive down volume.

WSTFA estimates a 142 million standard 40-pound boxes of fresh apples. While the forecast would match the previous record harvest for the fresh apple crop, growers reported that labor shortages and market conditions may drive down the actual number of harvested apples.

Growers faced a record drought in the state to deliver a high-quality crop across all varietals. Cosmic Crisp (WA-38), developed by Washington State University specifically for Eastern Washington’s growing conditions, continues its meteoric rise in popularity just five years after its introduction in 2020. For the first time, it enters the forecast as one of the top five varietals, according to the release.

“This year Washington has experienced favorable growing conditions and good fruit sizing despite drought conditions in the state that curtailed water supplies to some orchards,” Jon DeVaney, WSTFA president, said in the release.

“Growers anticipate a large crop with great eating quality. However, challenging economic conditions including concerns about labor supply during harvest means that many growers will be more selective in what they pick. As a result, there is a high probability that the final harvested crop will be smaller than the potential reflected in this forecast.”

The WSTFA forecast includes interesting changes in the five most popular varietals.

Gala is number one at 18% of production, followed by Honeycrisp at 15%. For the first time, Honeycrisp moves ahead of both Red Delicious and Granny Smith.

Granny Smith is at 14.7% with Red Delicious at 12%. Cosmic Crisp makes its first appearance in the top five at 9.6%, up from 1% in 2020 and 6% in 2023.

Fuji is forecast at 9.1% of the forecasted crop, Cripps Pink is projected at 6.4%, with Envy and Golden Delicious both at 3.5 and Ambrosia at 1%. All other varieties represent about 7%.

Washington’s growers are keeping up with consumer demand for organic apples. Organics again represent 15% of this year’s overall crop, a sign that growers’ long-term investment in organics is paying off for them and the consumers they ultimately serve. Washington state produces more than 90% of the nation’s organic apples. All organic production is packed and marketed as USDA organic and WSTFA members continue to work on new strategies and techniques to deliver more organic apples, according to the release.

“Staying in step with consumer demand is something that our growers work hard to accomplish,” DeVaney said in the release.

Washington apples are sold around the world and are a strong mover in domestic grocery. They are also vital to the state’s economy and are Washington’s leading agricultural commodity. Apples represented 16% ($2 billion) of the state’s total farm-gate agricultural value in 2022. Nearly 30% percent of the harvest is exported.

“Washington apples are truly a signature crop for our state — economically vital and globally recognized,” Derek Sandison, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, said in the release. “This year, even amid unusually warm and dry conditions, growing conditions remained strong overall and we are expecting another large harvest with high-quality fruit. That’s a testament to our growers’ expertise and the strength of Washington’s apple industry. It’s good for our economy, our communities, and consumers everywhere.”

The apple forecast is based on a survey of WSTFA members and represents the best estimate of the total volume of apples harvested in 2025 that will be packed and sold on the fresh market. The estimate excludes apples sold to processors.

Apple harvest typically begins in August and continues into November. As a result, the forecast remains subject to several months of variable weather, labor supply, and market conditions that can affect the final harvest total, according to the release.

WSTFA represents the growers, packers and marketers of Washington apples, pears, and sweet cherries. The association provides education and training, data and statistics for informed market and production decisions, and public and government advocacy for the industry.