Washington State Tree Fruit Association Unveils 2025 Apple Harvest Forecast

The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) has released its forecast for the 2025 fresh apple crop, revealing an expected yield of 142 million standard forty-pound boxes. This projection matches the previous record for harvest volume, highlighting the potential for Washington apples to maintain their dominant position as the leading state producer of this beloved fruit.

Crop Conditions and Challenges

Despite facing a record drought, which has posed challenges for water supply to certain orchards, growers remain optimistic. Jon DeVaney, the President of WSTFA, stated that favorable growing conditions have allowed for the production of high-quality apples. However, labor shortages and fluctuating market conditions could force growers to be more selective about their harvest.

“While we anticipate a large crop with excellent eating quality, ongoing labor issues will likely influence our final harvest volume,” explained DeVaney. As such, the final tally might fall short of the optimistic forecast.

The drought conditions have surprisingly benefitted certain apple varietals, aiding their development and sizing. The Cosmic Crisp, a variety developed by Washington State University specifically for the region, continues to surge in popularity just five years after its initial introduction in 2020. This year marks its debut as one of the top five apple varietals predicted for 2025.

The Leading Varietals

The forecast identifies significant shifts among the state's most popular apple varietals. Currently, Gala apples lead production at 18%, followed by Honeycrisp at 15%, Granny Smith at 14.7%, and Red Delicious at 12%. Cosmic Crisp, newly introduced into the top rankings, is projected to reach 9.6%, a significant increase from 1% in 2020 and 6% in 2023.

Other varietals include Fuji at nearly 9.1%, Cripps Pink at 6.4%, and Envy and Golden Delicious at about 3.5% each, with Ambrosia rounding out at 1%. The remaining varieties account for around 7% of the forecasted crop.

The Rise of Organic Apples

Washington's growers are also successfully adapting to consumer demand for organic apples, with organic varieties now making up 15% of this year’s expected crop. This statistic underscores the effectiveness of growers’ long-term investments in organic production. Washington state is the nation’s leading supplier of organic apples, fulfilling over 90% of the national demand. All organic apples are rigorously packed and marketed under USDA organic standards, and WSTFA members implement continuous strategies to enhance organic production.

“Meeting consumer demand is a key focus for our growers,