In this installment of the ‘Agronometrics In Charts’ series, we take a look at the Honeycrisp apple prices. Each week, the series looks at a different horticultural commodity, focusing on a specific origin or topic, visualizing the market factors that are driving change.

Honeycrisp apple prices have spiked sharply in recent weeks, with retail values climbing from around $1.35/kg in week 26 of 2024 to nearly $3.5/kg in mid 2025, a near threefold increase. The sudden increase isn't random. It's the result of a perfect storm of supply constraints, seasonal shifts, and long-standing challenges with this famously high-maintenance variety.

Washington, the nation's top apple-growing state, has faced weather-related setbacks that significantly impacted its Honeycrisp output. Reports from the industry indicate that Honeycrisp volumes out of Washington are down roughly 32% compared to last year. This alone would have sent prices upward, but it's compounded by reduced production in the Midwest and limited supply coming from other U.S. growing regions.

To fill the gap, U.S. importers have turned to Southern Hemisphere sources like Chile. But this solution only goes so far. Logistical issues, higher freight costs, and existing import tariffs have capped how much fruit can realistically enter the market. Even with some excellent fruit arriving from Chile, overall volume remains too low to stabilize pricing.

Retailers, faced with tighter Honeycrisp inventories and ongoing inflationary pressure, have shifted their promotional focus to other fruit categories such as berries and melons. With fewer Honeycrisp apples featured in ads or taking up space in the produce aisle, available stock is moving at higher per-unit prices. This low-visibility, high-price combination keeps upward pressure on the market.

All of this overlays a variety that was already one of the most expensive to grow and sell. Honeycrisp trees yield fruit that's prone to bruising and requires delicate harvesting, specialized sorting, and expensive storage. Even in a strong year, it has high pack-out losses, meaning a sizable percentage of the crop never makes it to retail. When the supply tightens as much as it has in recent weeks, prices react quickly and often sharply.

The current spike is a textbook case of market tightening: low harvest, limited imports, and sticky consumer demand meeting the realities of constrained shelf space and retailer economics.

Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.

(Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here)

Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.

(Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here)