Pennsylvania’s 2026 apple shipments are underway, although growers are anticipating a lighter crop this season. Yet optimism abounds.
Rice Fruit Company of Gardners, PA expects to ship a full range of varieties this season, though volumes will be lighter in some cases.
Timing is pretty much on schedule although the company notes the apple season tends to start earlier each year because of varieties which have been developed to spread harvest out between August and October. This avoids having to harvest all the fruit in September. Earlier varieties such as Gala and Honeycrisp, which start in the first or second week of August, make this possible.
Rice Fruit is a grower, shipper and packer that also works with 40 other family growing operations.