Apple Outlook for 2026

From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. As the 2026 apple harvest gets underway here in Washington state, apples from last year’s crop are still being delivered, but look to be approaching about 131 million boxes, which was better than the year before.

And from what he’s hearing, Washington Apple Commission president, Michael Schadler says this year’s crop shouldn’t be too far off that pace …

SCHADLER … “It’s probably going to be a little bit smaller than that this year, which we think is a good thing. We think it’s going to be a very manageable crop. We think it’s going to be, you know, a crop that is of good quality and that will have ample apples for a twelve-month shipping season.”

Other factors, Schadler says are playing into making this year’s apple production manageable …

SCHADLER … “Really, since the beginning of the year, beginning of 2026, we’ve seen prices steadily increasing. You know, prices are probably still not as high as many growers need, especially for sustainability over the long term, and debt servicing, and you know, continued increases in input costs and inflation, and all of that. But compared to how we felt last year at this time and two years ago at this time, there is a little bit more optimism.”

Most of what Schadler is hearing from growers is promising …

SCHADLER … “The new crop that’s coming in from, you know, it’s anecdotal of course, can’t talk to every single grower in the state, but most growers I talk to are pretty favorable on the crop.”

Schadler says an official crop estimate should be coming out in early December.