Washington apple industry expects a 124-million-box crop

Washington apple growers expect to harvest 124 million boxes of fresh-market apples this fall, returning to a more average crop size after last year’s high of 136 million boxes.

The August crop estimate released this week by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association is the first estimate of the season and is subject to change as harvest progresses.

Gala will be the top variety for the 2024 harvest, estimated at 23 million 40-pound boxes, followed by Granny Smith at 18 million boxes, Red Delicious at 16 million boxes and then Honeycrisp at nearly 15 million boxes, which is down 25 percent from last year’s record-setting 20 million boxes.

Production of WA 38, the apple marketed as Cosmic Crisp, continues to climb. The crop forecast predicts 11.3 million boxes, up 40 percent from last year’s crop and double the 2022 harvest.

The organic crop is estimated at almost 20 million boxes, which is included in the overall estimate of 124 million boxes.

This annual crop estimate stems from reports from about 50 packers and shippers statewide, according to WSTFA.

—by Kate Prengaman