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United States apple production is forecast to fall seven percent in the 2026/27 crop year to approximately 263 million bushels, according to the 2026 Industry Outlook report from industry body USApple.
The forecast, which combines US Department of Agriculture estimates with USApple analysis for states not covered by the annual USDA survey, is also three percent below the five-year average. Because not all regions took part in this year’s adjustment process, the grower organization is not publishing a final industry-adjusted national estimate for 2026/27.
The projected crop is expected to have a farm-gate value exceeding $3 billion, although production prospects vary considerably by region.
“The story this season really varies by region,” said Chris Gerlach, USApple vice president and author of the report. While conditions have improved in areas that experienced drought last year, parts of the Mid-Atlantic have faced significant weather-related challenges that are expected to weigh on production.
According to USDA’s figures, Washington will remain the leading US apple-producing state, with an estimated 176 million bushels, down two percent from the previous season and valued at more than $2 billion. New York is forecast to produce 32 million bushels, down 10 percent, while Michigan is projected at 25 million bushels, a one percent decline.
The sharpest reductions are expected in Pennsylvania and Virginia, where spring freeze damage is projected to cut production by 58 percent and 48 percent, respectively. Where states submitted their own estimates, they diverge from USDA: USApple puts New York at 29 million bushels and Virginia at 1.3 million, while Michigan’s industry representatives said USDA’s figure is too low without offering an adjusted number.
Gala is expected to remain the leading US apple variety, with production approaching 42 million bushels, equivalent to about 16 percent of total domestic supply. Red Delicious is forecast at approximately 30 million bushels, followed closely by Granny Smith, also near 30 million.
The varietal mix continues to shift, reflecting changing consumer preferences and market conditions. Over the past five years, production of Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp and Pink Lady/Cripps Pink has increased, while Gala, Red Delicious and Fuji production has declined.
The industry enters the season after a difficult 2025/26 marketing environment. US growers produced another large crop well above the five-year average, while flat domestic demand and exports below historical levels contributed to low farm-gate prices for many varieties. Rising production costs further pressured grower margins.
Exports remain critical for US apple growers
International markets remain an important outlet for US apples. Fresh apple exports during the 2025/26 crop year reached nearly 45 million bushels, up two percent year-on-year, while imports fell 12 percent to approximately 4 million bushels. This produced a trade surplus of nearly 41 million bushels, valued at more than $1 billion.
Mexico and Canada were the two largest export markets, accounting for 39 percent and 19 percent of US fresh apple exports, respectively. Combined, they purchased nearly $650 million worth of US apples.
Mississippi’s sweet potato harvest began in the last week of August 2026, with timely rainfall supporting crop development despite hot and dry conditions affecting other crops in the state.
Lorin Harvey, sweet potato specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said rainfall arrived at key stages of the growing cycle. “It’s a strong-looking crop, but you can never really tell until you start digging,” Harvey said. “We got timely rains, which will probably be the biggest factor for this year’s success.”
Growers planted about 35,800 acres of sweet potatoes this year, an increase of almost 10 per cent. Sweet potato area in Mississippi has increased nearly 25 per cent over the past five years.
Harvey attributed the expansion to lower yields in 2025, which resulted in higher demand and prices, as well as low prices for other agricultural commodities.
Planting started in late April for many growers, with cooler temperatures allowing plants to establish before summer heat arrived.
Protein and fiber have moved from niche to norm, according to data from Instacart, and online grocery delivery and pickup service, connecting customers with local retail stores through a mobile app or website.
In a recent blog, the grocery technology company analyzed 2026 purchases versus 2025 to determine how big the fiber and protein trends are.
“Protein-maxxing and fiber-maxxing – newer terms coined by social media – are not happening in a vacuum,” the post said. “The rise of GLP-1 medications has pushed protein and fiber to the center of the national food conversation, as people on these drugs are widely advised to prioritize protecting muscle mass and supporting digestion. Grocers have taken note: Costco recently said ‘anything protein right now is doing extremely well,’ and Meijer called fiber the ‘breakout nutrition goal for 2026.’”
Instacart found the share of searches that included the word “protein” grew +12.7 percent year over year, and “fiber,” from a smaller base, grew even faster at +26.4 percent.
Among the food categories that grew the most in the past year were sweet potatoes and Hass avocados.
In the fiber category, among the biggest movers were sweet potatoes (and yams), avocados, red raspberries, Bartlett and D’anjou pears, walnuts, Broccolini, and pomegranates.
Among the challenges facing domestic onion growers and shippers this season are costs, a fact of life trucking can certainly relate to.
Race-West Company Inc. of Clarks Summit, PA reports significant challenges for onion growers and shippers because of continued driver shortages, ever rising fuel costs, and an aging driver pool. All of these factors that continue to tighten the availability of transportation.
The average price of Number 2 diesel fuel in the U.S. is over $6 per gallon, unless you are in California, where it is over $8 per gallon.
Race-West, a grower, shipper and distributor, notes the new crop of onions across the U.S. and Canada look good and are in strong supply. While total volume may be good this season good, acreage is less than last year because of too many onions and poor markets.
Growers should have adequate supply through winter and spring.
Race-West longs for a resurgence of railroad involvement to help adjust transportation costs downward. However, rail service continues to be poor with excessive transit times and an inadequate supply of rail cars.
California’s citrus acreage showed mixed changes across major categories in 2026, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture and USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report was released on August 5 following a survey of approximately 4,300 citrus growers.
Detailed acreage data show that lemons had 52,866 acres standing in 2026, comprising 51,803 bearing and 1,063 non-bearing acres. This compares with 52,725 total acres in 2024, when 49,770 acres were bearing, and 2,954 were non-bearing.
Navel and miscellaneous oranges remained the largest category, with 110,461 acres standing in 2026, including 108,587 bearing and 1,874 non-bearing acres. This was down from 112,366 total acres in 2024. Valencia orange acreage declined from 25,297 acres in 2024 to 24,589 acres in 2026.
Mandarins and hybrids totaled 68,536 acres in 2026, consisting of 66,802 bearing and 1,734 non-bearing acres, compared with 68,830 total acres in 2024. Among varieties, Tango accounted for 20,243 acres, including 19,383 bearing and 860 non-bearing acres. W. Murcott Afourer totaled 9,898 acres, while Clementines accounted for 15,500 acres.
Grapefruit acreage, excluding pummelos and hybrids, decreased from 9,053 acres in 2024 to 8,443 acres in 2026. Pummelos and hybrids moved in the opposite direction, increasing from 1,262 acres to 1,964 acres.
The statewide bearing acreage estimates for the 2024-25 season were 9,300 acres for grapefruit, 54,000 for lemons, 110,000 for Navel and miscellaneous oranges, 25,000 for Valencia oranges, and 68,000 for tangerines and mandarins. The report notes that these statewide estimates include an allowance for incomplete survey responses and therefore differ from the detailed acreage figures.
Most of the ginger in North America comes in from Peru and is mostly organic. China remains the other major source, particularly for conventional ginger. However, at this time of year Peru has a clear seasonal advantage in terms of maturity and quality, according to Viva Tierra Organic of Mount Vernon, WA.
The shipper, importer, exporter Peruvian reports ginger is entering one of its strongest quality periods of the year, with fully mature product now arriving in North America. At the same time, however, abundant low-priced ginger is putting pressure on the market.
Unlike many seasonal crops, Peru’s ginger supply does not simply start and stop. Different production cycles mean new crops can begin as early as April, when young and more delicate ginger is typically flown into the market. By June, ocean shipments become more common as the product reaches sufficient maturity to withstand the journey. By this time of year, however, the crop has reached full maturity.
This is now fully 100 percent mature ginger, with peak quality from Peru now through the end of the calendar year.
Despite the favorable quality window, the current market is under pressure because of an excess of Peruvian ginger in North America, partly linked to changes in European imports. New European rules were implemented for Peruvian ginger entering Europe to address Ralstonia. This has adversely affected Peruvian garlic exports, with some European buyers shifting toward Chinese ginger. This is resulting in more Peruvian product being exported to, and flooding, the U.S. market.
Cantaloupe and honeydew loadings from the Central San Joaquin Valley have good and steady most of the summer, but with shorter days volume is declining. The transition to the fields of Arizona should occur with the first harvest in mid October.
Classic Fruit Company Inc. of Fresno, CA reports local melon harvests are winding down and demand for California melons remains good. A relatively smooth transition to Arizona is expected.
The grower, packer and shipper also has some later acres in the Central Valley overlapping with Arizona just as a safety precaution in case there are any unexpected problems. The crops are spread out across different areas within the two regions because if a virus or pest problem were to be persistent, we don’t want it to affect the entire crop in that area.
The company also imports melons during the winter months.
Two men have each been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after more than 700 pounds (317.5 kg) of methamphetamine was found concealed in a tractor-trailer shipment of cucumbers outside a warehouse in Gainesville, Georgia.
DEA agents monitored the trailer on June 30, 2025, following information about a drug shipment. Andres Jasso Jr., 39, and Rufino Pineda-Perez, 61, were arrested beside the vehicle. A search of the commercial unit found 20 pallets of cucumber boxes containing thousands of individually wrapped packages of methamphetamine.
According to federal prosecutors, co-conspirators had instructed the two men to unload the boxes and separate the narcotics from the produce. Authorities did not disclose the shipment’s origin, sender, intended recipient, warehouse name, or trailer route.
Both men pleaded guilty on March 11 to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Pineda-Perez also pleaded guilty to illegal reentry following a previous removal. Jasso was sentenced on July 17, while Pineda-Perez was sentenced Wednesday. Both will serve 10 years of supervised release following their prison terms.
The DEA led the investigation with assistance from the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and ICE.
Shipments of pummelos from Florida have just got underway as Chilean imports are now winding down.
Size and flavor are the best in years, reports Noble Citrus of Winter Haven, FL. Despite a freeze last spring, the grower/shipper notes volume is expected to match a year ago, but the brix and quality should be even better.
Following its Florida pummelo season are the Autumn Honey and Noble Juicy Crunch tangerine seasons, with the latter being the company’s proprietary premium tangerine. Tree health is noted to be excellent as the company expects expanded volume for both varieties from Florida.
This year, along with importing Chilean citrus–primarily lemons, navels and mandarins, which started at the beginning of July, and later Cara Caras and Minneolas at the end of July–the company is adding a new sourcing region to its mix. This winter it will now source fruit from California and along with Chile and Florida, it will give retailers and wholesalers a continuous supply program.
Noble Citrus has added Golden Star Citrus of Woodlake, CA to its mix of suppliers, starting in January 2027.
This allows the company to ship Navels, Cara Caras or Red Navels, and lemons January through May. Then in June, as California production winds down, Chilean imports start picking up and will go through September. After that, mid-October through December is the window for Florida-grown navels and lemons. In all, this provides 12 months of fresh navels and navel/orange juicing.
Markon Cooperative has introduced its year-round Markon First Crop (MFC) Mandarin brand program, giving members consistent access to premium-quality, Markon-brand Mandarins year-round, according to the Salinas, CA based company in a press release.
This program reinforces Markon’s commitment to quality and supply continuity by delivering a recognizable brand backed by industry-leading food safety standards.
Program Highlights
- Available year-round for loading at 4Earth or California Central Valley through a combination of domestic and imported production. USA: October through May. Peru/Chile: May through October
- Primarily packed with small to medium sizes (24- to 28-count fruit)
- Packed in a volume-filled 30-pound carton averaging 160-180 pieces per box
- MFC packaging provides a consistent appearance and enhanced food safety recognition for members and operators
Member Impact
- Ensures uninterrupted year-round Mandarin availability under the Markon brand
- Larger volume-filled pack provides excellent value and merchandising flexibility for foodservice operators
- Supports program consistency with a single brand offering across both domestic and imported seasons
- Backed by Markon’s established food safety and quality standards, delivering confidence from field to fork
United States apple production is forecast to fall seven percent in the 2026/27 crop year to approximately 263 million bushels, according to the 2026 Industry Outlook report from industry body USApple.
The forecast, which combines US Department of Agriculture estimates with USApple analysis for states not covered by the annual USDA survey, is also three percent below the five-year average. Because not all regions took part in this year’s adjustment process, the grower organization is not publishing a final industry-adjusted national estimate for 2026/27.
The projected crop is expected to have a farm-gate value exceeding $3 billion, although production prospects vary considerably by region.
“The story this season really varies by region,” said Chris Gerlach, USApple vice president and author of the report. While conditions have improved in areas that experienced drought last year, parts of the Mid-Atlantic have faced significant weather-related challenges that are expected to weigh on production.
According to USDA’s figures, Washington will remain the leading US apple-producing state, with an estimated 176 million bushels, down two percent from the previous season and valued at more than $2 billion. New York is forecast to produce 32 million bushels, down 10 percent, while Michigan is projected at 25 million bushels, a one percent decline.
The sharpest reductions are expected in Pennsylvania and Virginia, where spring freeze damage is projected to cut production by 58 percent and 48 percent, respectively. Where states submitted their own estimates, they diverge from USDA: USApple puts New York at 29 million bushels and Virginia at 1.3 million, while Michigan’s industry representatives said USDA’s figure is too low without offering an adjusted number.
Gala is expected to remain the leading US apple variety, with production approaching 42 million bushels, equivalent to about 16 percent of total domestic supply. Red Delicious is forecast at approximately 30 million bushels, followed closely by Granny Smith, also near 30 million.
The varietal mix continues to shift, reflecting changing consumer preferences and market conditions. Over the past five years, production of Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp and Pink Lady/Cripps Pink has increased, while Gala, Red Delicious and Fuji production has declined.
The industry enters the season after a difficult 2025/26 marketing environment. US growers produced another large crop well above the five-year average, while flat domestic demand and exports below historical levels contributed to low farm-gate prices for many varieties. Rising production costs further pressured grower margins.
Exports remain critical for US apple growers
International markets remain an important outlet for US apples. Fresh apple exports during the 2025/26 crop year reached nearly 45 million bushels, up two percent year-on-year, while imports fell 12 percent to approximately 4 million bushels. This produced a trade surplus of nearly 41 million bushels, valued at more than $1 billion.
Mexico and Canada were the two largest export markets, accounting for 39 percent and 19 percent of US fresh apple exports, respectively. Combined, they purchased nearly $650 million worth of US apples.
Mississippi’s sweet potato harvest began in the last week of August 2026, with timely rainfall supporting crop development despite hot and dry conditions affecting other crops in the state.
Lorin Harvey, sweet potato specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said rainfall arrived at key stages of the growing cycle. “It’s a strong-looking crop, but you can never really tell until you start digging,” Harvey said. “We got timely rains, which will probably be the biggest factor for this year’s success.”
Growers planted about 35,800 acres of sweet potatoes this year, an increase of almost 10 per cent. Sweet potato area in Mississippi has increased nearly 25 per cent over the past five years.
Harvey attributed the expansion to lower yields in 2025, which resulted in higher demand and prices, as well as low prices for other agricultural commodities.
Planting started in late April for many growers, with cooler temperatures allowing plants to establish before summer heat arrived.
Protein and fiber have moved from niche to norm, according to data from Instacart, and online grocery delivery and pickup service, connecting customers with local retail stores through a mobile app or website.
In a recent blog, the grocery technology company analyzed 2026 purchases versus 2025 to determine how big the fiber and protein trends are.
“Protein-maxxing and fiber-maxxing – newer terms coined by social media – are not happening in a vacuum,” the post said. “The rise of GLP-1 medications has pushed protein and fiber to the center of the national food conversation, as people on these drugs are widely advised to prioritize protecting muscle mass and supporting digestion. Grocers have taken note: Costco recently said ‘anything protein right now is doing extremely well,’ and Meijer called fiber the ‘breakout nutrition goal for 2026.’”
Instacart found the share of searches that included the word “protein” grew +12.7 percent year over year, and “fiber,” from a smaller base, grew even faster at +26.4 percent.
Among the food categories that grew the most in the past year were sweet potatoes and Hass avocados.
In the fiber category, among the biggest movers were sweet potatoes (and yams), avocados, red raspberries, Bartlett and D’anjou pears, walnuts, Broccolini, and pomegranates.
Among the challenges facing domestic onion growers and shippers this season are costs, a fact of life trucking can certainly relate to.
Race-West Company Inc. of Clarks Summit, PA reports significant challenges for onion growers and shippers because of continued driver shortages, ever rising fuel costs, and an aging driver pool. All of these factors that continue to tighten the availability of transportation.
The average price of Number 2 diesel fuel in the U.S. is over $6 per gallon, unless you are in California, where it is over $8 per gallon.
Race-West, a grower, shipper and distributor, notes the new crop of onions across the U.S. and Canada look good and are in strong supply. While total volume may be good this season good, acreage is less than last year because of too many onions and poor markets.
Growers should have adequate supply through winter and spring.
Race-West longs for a resurgence of railroad involvement to help adjust transportation costs downward. However, rail service continues to be poor with excessive transit times and an inadequate supply of rail cars.
California’s citrus acreage showed mixed changes across major categories in 2026, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture and USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report was released on August 5 following a survey of approximately 4,300 citrus growers.
Detailed acreage data show that lemons had 52,866 acres standing in 2026, comprising 51,803 bearing and 1,063 non-bearing acres. This compares with 52,725 total acres in 2024, when 49,770 acres were bearing, and 2,954 were non-bearing.
Navel and miscellaneous oranges remained the largest category, with 110,461 acres standing in 2026, including 108,587 bearing and 1,874 non-bearing acres. This was down from 112,366 total acres in 2024. Valencia orange acreage declined from 25,297 acres in 2024 to 24,589 acres in 2026.
Mandarins and hybrids totaled 68,536 acres in 2026, consisting of 66,802 bearing and 1,734 non-bearing acres, compared with 68,830 total acres in 2024. Among varieties, Tango accounted for 20,243 acres, including 19,383 bearing and 860 non-bearing acres. W. Murcott Afourer totaled 9,898 acres, while Clementines accounted for 15,500 acres.
Grapefruit acreage, excluding pummelos and hybrids, decreased from 9,053 acres in 2024 to 8,443 acres in 2026. Pummelos and hybrids moved in the opposite direction, increasing from 1,262 acres to 1,964 acres.
The statewide bearing acreage estimates for the 2024-25 season were 9,300 acres for grapefruit, 54,000 for lemons, 110,000 for Navel and miscellaneous oranges, 25,000 for Valencia oranges, and 68,000 for tangerines and mandarins. The report notes that these statewide estimates include an allowance for incomplete survey responses and therefore differ from the detailed acreage figures.
Most of the ginger in North America comes in from Peru and is mostly organic. China remains the other major source, particularly for conventional ginger. However, at this time of year Peru has a clear seasonal advantage in terms of maturity and quality, according to Viva Tierra Organic of Mount Vernon, WA.
The shipper, importer, exporter Peruvian reports ginger is entering one of its strongest quality periods of the year, with fully mature product now arriving in North America. At the same time, however, abundant low-priced ginger is putting pressure on the market.
Unlike many seasonal crops, Peru’s ginger supply does not simply start and stop. Different production cycles mean new crops can begin as early as April, when young and more delicate ginger is typically flown into the market. By June, ocean shipments become more common as the product reaches sufficient maturity to withstand the journey. By this time of year, however, the crop has reached full maturity.
This is now fully 100 percent mature ginger, with peak quality from Peru now through the end of the calendar year.
Despite the favorable quality window, the current market is under pressure because of an excess of Peruvian ginger in North America, partly linked to changes in European imports. New European rules were implemented for Peruvian ginger entering Europe to address Ralstonia. This has adversely affected Peruvian garlic exports, with some European buyers shifting toward Chinese ginger. This is resulting in more Peruvian product being exported to, and flooding, the U.S. market.
Cantaloupe and honeydew loadings from the Central San Joaquin Valley have good and steady most of the summer, but with shorter days volume is declining. The transition to the fields of Arizona should occur with the first harvest in mid October.
Classic Fruit Company Inc. of Fresno, CA reports local melon harvests are winding down and demand for California melons remains good. A relatively smooth transition to Arizona is expected.
The grower, packer and shipper also has some later acres in the Central Valley overlapping with Arizona just as a safety precaution in case there are any unexpected problems. The crops are spread out across different areas within the two regions because if a virus or pest problem were to be persistent, we don’t want it to affect the entire crop in that area.
The company also imports melons during the winter months.
Two men have each been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after more than 700 pounds (317.5 kg) of methamphetamine was found concealed in a tractor-trailer shipment of cucumbers outside a warehouse in Gainesville, Georgia.
DEA agents monitored the trailer on June 30, 2025, following information about a drug shipment. Andres Jasso Jr., 39, and Rufino Pineda-Perez, 61, were arrested beside the vehicle. A search of the commercial unit found 20 pallets of cucumber boxes containing thousands of individually wrapped packages of methamphetamine.
According to federal prosecutors, co-conspirators had instructed the two men to unload the boxes and separate the narcotics from the produce. Authorities did not disclose the shipment’s origin, sender, intended recipient, warehouse name, or trailer route.
Both men pleaded guilty on March 11 to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Pineda-Perez also pleaded guilty to illegal reentry following a previous removal. Jasso was sentenced on July 17, while Pineda-Perez was sentenced Wednesday. Both will serve 10 years of supervised release following their prison terms.
The DEA led the investigation with assistance from the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and ICE.
Shipments of pummelos from Florida have just got underway as Chilean imports are now winding down.
Size and flavor are the best in years, reports Noble Citrus of Winter Haven, FL. Despite a freeze last spring, the grower/shipper notes volume is expected to match a year ago, but the brix and quality should be even better.
Following its Florida pummelo season are the Autumn Honey and Noble Juicy Crunch tangerine seasons, with the latter being the company’s proprietary premium tangerine. Tree health is noted to be excellent as the company expects expanded volume for both varieties from Florida.
This year, along with importing Chilean citrus–primarily lemons, navels and mandarins, which started at the beginning of July, and later Cara Caras and Minneolas at the end of July–the company is adding a new sourcing region to its mix. This winter it will now source fruit from California and along with Chile and Florida, it will give retailers and wholesalers a continuous supply program.
Noble Citrus has added Golden Star Citrus of Woodlake, CA to its mix of suppliers, starting in January 2027.
This allows the company to ship Navels, Cara Caras or Red Navels, and lemons January through May. Then in June, as California production winds down, Chilean imports start picking up and will go through September. After that, mid-October through December is the window for Florida-grown navels and lemons. In all, this provides 12 months of fresh navels and navel/orange juicing.
Markon Cooperative has introduced its year-round Markon First Crop (MFC) Mandarin brand program, giving members consistent access to premium-quality, Markon-brand Mandarins year-round, according to the Salinas, CA based company in a press release.
This program reinforces Markon’s commitment to quality and supply continuity by delivering a recognizable brand backed by industry-leading food safety standards.
Program Highlights
- Available year-round for loading at 4Earth or California Central Valley through a combination of domestic and imported production. USA: October through May. Peru/Chile: May through October
- Primarily packed with small to medium sizes (24- to 28-count fruit)
- Packed in a volume-filled 30-pound carton averaging 160-180 pieces per box
- MFC packaging provides a consistent appearance and enhanced food safety recognition for members and operators
Member Impact
- Ensures uninterrupted year-round Mandarin availability under the Markon brand
- Larger volume-filled pack provides excellent value and merchandising flexibility for foodservice operators
- Supports program consistency with a single brand offering across both domestic and imported seasons
- Backed by Markon’s established food safety and quality standards, delivering confidence from field to fork