Apples are one of the world’s most-produced deciduous varieties of fruits that originated from Central Asia and spread all over the world. China produces the world’s largest number of apples, followed by the United States, Poland, Italy and France.
Famous for their health benefits, apples are grown in almost every country. But based on climatic conditions and other economic factors, some countries produce more apples than others.
Our list of apple production by country, features the top ten apple producing countries and the amount of apples they produce by tons.
Apple Production by Country
Apple Production in China
China is in the topmost position in global apple production, producing more than 44 million tonnes annually. The country tops the list for the largest export of fresh apple fruits and the largest apple growing area.
China's fresh apple output accounted for 53.20% of the world's total by 2020. The apple industry has become an essential part of the country's national fruit industry and the primary agricultural development industry. It’s the main source of income for farmers in most apple-producing regions in China.
While production is done in varying locations, apple farming is mainly concentrated in some regions, such as the Bohai Bay and Loess Plateau. Although smallholders operate most apple orchards, the two areas account for 80% of the country’s growing area and 90% of its production.
Apple Production in the United States
The second-largest contributor to apple production is the United States, with an average of 4.6 million tonnes. Being the second most commonly consumed fruit in the United States, 2,500 varieties of apples are grown, the top varieties including the Gala, McIntosh, Rome, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Cripps, Empire and Pink Lady.
Almost every state in the United States produces apples. However, Washington State is by far the largest apple-producing state, accounting for around 70% of the apples in the United States Other apple-producing states are New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California and Virginia.
Apple Production in the United States is a huge source of income due to exports. The country has over 5,000 apple producers growing on average 240 million bushels of apples every year on approximately 322 thousand acres of land.
Apple Production in Poland
Poland produces more than 3.6 million tons of apples annually, putting it in third place in the world, behind China and the United States. But in per capita terms, apple production in Poland is about three times as high as in China and six times as high as in the United States Apples make up 80% of the country’s fruit production.
Poland’s soil and climatic conditions are favourable for setting up apple orchards throughout the country. However, there are major apple-growing areas like south western, south eastern central Poland. Among the 14 main varieties grown are Royal Gala, Golden Delicious, Szampion and Jonaprince, most of which are grown commercially.
