Agronometrics in Charts: Michigan apple industry poised for another strong season

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Michigan apple growers are entering the 2025 harvest season with optimism, following a favorable spring and steady crop development. Across the state, more than 775 family-run farms care for 14.9 million trees on 34,500 acres, producing the largest and most valuable fruit crop in the state year after year.

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Michigan apples had a 2024 farm gate value of $322.4 million, more than double that of blueberries. Farm gate value reflects the worth of crops at the point of production, before transportation, processing, or marketing costs are added. By comparison, blueberries brought in $147.8 million, tart cherries $31.6 million, peaches $15.6 million, and sweet cherries $14 million. 

“Michigan Apples are responsible for most of the cash income generated by fruit grown in Michigan,” says Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee. “The apple industry here in Michigan takes great pride in its role in Michigan’s economy and in providing quality fruit for consumers locally and globally.”

Growers report that the 2025 season began with a gradual warm-up and no damaging spring frost. While some areas saw localized hailstorms, the overall crop remains unaffected. Fortunately, according to Trish Taylor of Riveridge Produce Marketing in Sparta, this will not affect the overall season volume.

Shelby Miller of Applewood Fresh adds that summer has been warm, but typical for Michigan orchards.

While early signs are positive, final yields will depend on late-summer weather. Ken Korson of North Bay Produce notes that timely rainfall will be essential for fruit sizing. “Right now, we are a little bit behind last year, but we can catch up with more rain and warm weather,” he says.

The official first crop projection will be released after the U.S. Apple Outlook Conference in mid-August, but early expectations are for a harvest comparable to 2024’s 1.28 billion pounds.

Michigan ranks as the second-largest apple-producing state in the U.S., trailing only behind Washington. Apples make up about 71 percent of the state’s fruit-derived cash income, a testament to their economic weight and agricultural tradition.

Backed by the grower-funded Michigan Apple Committee, the industry continues to invest in marketing, education, and research to promote the state's apples both locally and abroad.

As harvest nears, growers are watching the skies, knowing that the next two months could shape the size and quality of a crop that feeds both Michigan’s economy and its reputation as a premier apple-producing region.

Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.

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

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