The Detroit Free Press

Michigan’s apple boom continues: 1.28 billion pounds expected in 2024 harvest

By Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press,

15 hours ago

Another good apple harvest year is expected this season, with an estimated haul of about 30.5 million bushels, or 1.281 billion pounds, in 2024, the Michigan Apple Committee announced.

This is the third year in a row for a higher-than-average crop size, the committee said.

While that’s a lot of apples, it’s not the whopping nearly 32 million bushels of 2023, but the 2024 harvest is higher than average.

The estimate was announced on Friday at the USApple Outlook's annual meeting in Chicago.

“It is unusual to have three large crops in a row,” said Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, of this year’s crop estimate. “However, 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.”

Michigan's average annual crop size is approximately 25.9 million bushels, according to the Michigan Apple Committee.

Weather and bloom conditions and tree health are all factors considered in the year’s apple harvest estimate.

The committee said that Michigan’s late winter, warmer-than-normal temperatures, and an early spring contributed to this year's harvest, which caused buds to form early and ultimately led to an earlier bloom in May.

In addition, growers didn’t experience significant frost and freeze events after the early bloom. The committee said this year’s early bloom also brought on the harvest about 10 days earlier.

“Michigan Apple growers share a common goal of producing flavorful, high-quality apples,” said Smith. “They work with tree fruit researchers to implement the latest growing techniques and use new technology to monitor growing conditions. Michigan growers are committed to bringing the best quality fruit to the consumer.”

Available year-round, Michigan apples are the state's most valuable fruit crop. Michigan’s apple production ranks as the No. 2 apple-producing state behind No. 1. Washington state. Across Michigan, there are nearly 15 million apple trees in commercial production, according to the Michigan Apple Committee. In Michigan, apple trees cover 34,500 acres across 775 family-run farms in Michigan. The apples are also widely available at farm markets and cider mills across the state and in 12,000 retail groceries across the U.S., according to Smith.

More: Michigan apple harvest guide: When to get your favorite kind

The state's apple crop is unique because of its wide array of varieties. Some of the varieties are already available. Here are the estimated harvest times for a variety of Michigan apples from the Michigan Apple Committee: