While an apple a day might not keep the doctor away anymore, it just might keep Michigan farmers in business.
“The biggest challenge is apple consumption,” says Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee. “There are so many choices out there for consumers, just in the produce department alone. Fruits and vegetables that used to be available only seasonally now occupy shelf space year-round. That’s one of the reasons why apple consumption has decreased in the last 10 years.”
In response, her office has ramped up consumer marketing efforts to address that issue.
And for good reason: Michigan’s official crop estimate of 30 million bushels (1.26 billion lbs.) of apples was recently announced at the USApple Outlook meeting in Chicago.
That’s just under the 2024 harvest, which topped 30.5 million bushels.
Those numbers are made possible by the state’s 17.6 million apple trees, 38,000 acres, and 850 family-run farms.
And those figures are expected to hold steady, or even grow.
“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,” Smith says. “Michigan apple growers are proud to produce the largest and most valuable fruit crop in our state.”
And northern Michigan continues to contribute its fair share.
“There are more growers and farms in Northwest Michigan than there were a couple of decades ago,” Smith says. “The region plays a significant role in Michigan’s apple industry and the state’s economy.”
Geographically, she adds, the area’s topography and climate are great for growing apples.
“We are so fortunate to be surrounded by the Great Lakes, which provide us with moisture while also buffering us from severe weather,” she says.
As for the numbers, northern Michigan’s harvest will definitely contribute to the state’s total.
“We like to say it’s about 20 to 25% of Michigan’s apple crop,” says Nikki Rothwell, Michigan State University Extension specialist and coordinator at the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center. “And I would say it’s gotten bigger, though, in recent years. We grow Honeycrisp really well in northern Michigan, and so there’s a lot of investment for growers that have put in high-density Gala and Honeycrisp plantings.”
Statewide, the season avoided frost and freeze damage, creating strong conditions for apple production, Smith says.
In northwestern Lower Michigan, Rothwell agrees the outlook is good, although she notes that isolated hailstorms in Elk Rapids and southern Leelanau County did cause damage in some orchards.
“Those orchards are going to be a little banged up from the hail,” Rothwell adds. “But, overall, I think the quality is looking good if you didn’t get hail.”
This year’s harvest is on track to begin in late September, she says, right in line with normal timing despite a cold spring.
While Michigan’s weather sets the stage for a successful harvest, Smith says keeping up with consumer habits helps shape how those apples are enjoyed.
“One notable consumer trend that definitely benefits us is the snacking trend,” Smith says. “What is a more portable, affordable, healthy snack than an apple? Not only that, but if refrigerated, they’ll stay fresh for up to three weeks.”
Varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, EverCrisp, and Ambrosia continue to be favorites, according to Smith.
Consumer marketing has focused on highlighting apples as snacks, in many forms, including fresh-cut, juice, or sauce, Smith says.
“With that, our goal is to provide convenience, solutions, and inspiration to apple consumers.”
And with the harvest still ahead, Rothwell says it’s too early to predict what the market will look like.
But she remains optimistic.
“I’m hoping it’s going to be good and we’re going to have some good returns for growers,” she says.