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Apple updates
Apple prices strengthen.
Apple prices increased moderately across several varieties in April, including Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp, Fuji and Gala. According to the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, season-to-date shipment levels are up 4.9% year over year on favorable demand from both export and domestic markets. Inventory levels heading into the 2026-27 marketing season are likely to come in at average to slightly above average levels. Cosmic Crisp inventories are relatively high due in part to increasing production levels. It is also the result of the variety’s marketing season, November through October, being later than other varieties. (A later marketing season and increasing production levels means inventory carry-over from season to season will begin to increase over time.) While still too early for estimates, some in the industry are suggesting the 2026 crop in the Northwest could come in near historical average levels, or between 115 – 125 million boxes. Washington, Michigan and New York, key growing regions within the U.S., all experienced bouts of cold weather in April and may face some level of frost damage.
Pear prices were mixed in April, with those for Anjous increasing and Bosc decreasing. The 2025 pear crop is nearly wrapped up, with about 18% remaining. Cherry harvest is underway in California and initial reports suggest the crop has a relatively small size profile, some rain damage, and below average pack-out rates (the percentage of fruit going to fresh markets). Washington cherry growers experienced favorable bloom conditions, though some experienced light bud set and various levels of frost damage. Both California’s and Washington’s crops are coming on early and the risk of overlapping harvests appears minimal.
Profitability
March 11, 2026Apple producers: Unprofitable - Bullish 12-month outlook
Apple packers: Slightly profitable - Neutral 12-month outlook
While apple supply continues to exceed demand and result in low prices, cost cutting and acreage removal should help improve profitability over time.
The large 2025 crop and strong consumer demand should continue to support packer profitability.
While the bulk of apples produced in the U.S. is sold domestically, export markets are relatively important and make up anywhere from 15% to 20% of total production. Foreign markets are particularly important for older varieties that have fallen out of fashion in the U.S., namely Red and Golden Delicious. Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, Vietnam and India are the largest foreign markets. While Washington has a reputation for producing superior-quality fruit, exports are sensitive to trade policy given significant production levels from competitors in Europe, China, Chile and South Africa. Between 2021 and 2024, U.S. apple exports to India fell to near-zero levels due to retaliatory tariffs. Apple imports make up a very small portion of the total domestic supply.
Apple production, exports and imports
Source: USApple Outlook Reports.
Tariff tracker - Tariff rates applied to U.S. trade partners are consistenly updated to reflect policy changes. The World Trade Organization (WTO) tracks duties and tariffs on fresh apples. For your convenience, the following links will take you to tariff data for Vietnam and India. Apples are currently exempt from tariffs with Mexico and Canada under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), but please refer to the U.S. Trade Representative website for up-to-date information. WTO also tracks rates for apple imports to the U.S. Please consult with a trade lawyer or professional for detailed and up-to-date insights on tariff rates and their application to fresh apples.
For guidance on interpreting duty and tariff rates, please refer our Tariff Guide.
Apple updates
Apple prices strengthen.
Apple prices increased moderately across several varieties in April, including Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp, Fuji and Gala. According to the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, season-to-date shipment levels are up 4.9% year over year on favorable demand from both export and domestic markets. Inventory levels heading into the 2026-27 marketing season are likely to come in at average to slightly above average levels. Cosmic Crisp inventories are relatively high due in part to increasing production levels. It is also the result of the variety’s marketing season, November through October, being later than other varieties. (A later marketing season and increasing production levels means inventory carry-over from season to season will begin to increase over time.) While still too early for estimates, some in the industry are suggesting the 2026 crop in the Northwest could come in near historical average levels, or between 115 – 125 million boxes. Washington, Michigan and New York, key growing regions within the U.S., all experienced bouts of cold weather in April and may face some level of frost damage.
Pear prices were mixed in April, with those for Anjous increasing and Bosc decreasing. The 2025 pear crop is nearly wrapped up, with about 18% remaining. Cherry harvest is underway in California and initial reports suggest the crop has a relatively small size profile, some rain damage, and below average pack-out rates (the percentage of fruit going to fresh markets). Washington cherry growers experienced favorable bloom conditions, though some experienced light bud set and various levels of frost damage. Both California’s and Washington’s crops are coming on early and the risk of overlapping harvests appears minimal.
While the bulk of apples produced in the U.S. is sold domestically, export markets are relatively important and make up anywhere from 15% to 20% of total production. Foreign markets are particularly important for older varieties that have fallen out of fashion in the U.S., namely Red and Golden Delicious. Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, Vietnam and India are the largest foreign markets. While Washington has a reputation for producing superior-quality fruit, exports are sensitive to trade policy given significant production levels from competitors in Europe, China, Chile and South Africa. Between 2021 and 2024, U.S. apple exports to India fell to near-zero levels due to retaliatory tariffs. Apple imports make up a very small portion of the total domestic supply.
Apple production, exports and imports
Source: USApple Outlook Reports.
Tariff tracker - Tariff rates applied to U.S. trade partners are consistenly updated to reflect policy changes. The World Trade Organization (WTO) tracks duties and tariffs on fresh apples. For your convenience, the following links will take you to tariff data for Vietnam and India. Apples are currently exempt from tariffs with Mexico and Canada under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), but please refer to the U.S. Trade Representative website for up-to-date information. WTO also tracks rates for apple imports to the U.S. Please consult with a trade lawyer or professional for detailed and up-to-date insights on tariff rates and their application to fresh apples.
For guidance on interpreting duty and tariff rates, please refer our Tariff Guide.
