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News » Current Crop

2011 Crop Highlights

  • Apples are Michigan’s largest and most valuable fruit crop, with an average annual economic contribution to the state of $700-$900 million.
  • In Spring 2011 Michigan apple growers through the Michigan Apple Committee became the first commodity group to partner with Pure Michigan, the multi-million dollar award-winning state tourism and travel campaign.
  • There are 900 family-operated farms throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.  Small family farmers operating their own orchards continue to dominate the landscape.  According to statistics, 65 percent of Michigan orchards had fewer than 200 acres in apples.
  • Michigan is the 3rd largest apple-producing state in the nation.
  • On average, Michigan harvests about 20 million bushels (840 million pounds) of apples per year.  This year's prime growing conditions are expected to boost the 2011 crop to 26 million bushels, 40 percent higher than average. 
  • Michigan has more than 7.5 million apple trees in commercial production, covering some 37,500 acres.
  • About 40 percent of all Michigan apples are sold ready to eat. The remaining 60 percent are processed into other products, including fresh-cut slices, fresh and shelf-stable apple cider and applesauce. Michigan apples comprise the bulk of all apple slices used in commercially prepared apple pies.
  • The Michigan Honeycrisp continues to generate excitement! It is continually the overwhelming favorite in taste tests and with good reason! Supplies run from mid-September, only into November.
  • Familiar and longstanding varieties still dominate Michigan’s orchards. Red Delicious remains the most prevalent variety followed closely by Golden Delicious and Gala.
  • Newer orchards are trending to high-density planting (up to 500 trees per acre) that come into production quickly and bring desirable varieties to market quickly.
  • Michigan Apple Committee (MAC) is a non-profit governmental organization that works on behalf of growers in the areas of consumer and grower education, market development and research.

 

The Michigan Apple Committee works….   

  • To promote buying local, increasing in-store visibility and educating families about the importance of healthy eating.
  • To research consumer/market preferences, environmental impacts, new production techniques and to implement integrated pest management practices.
  • On policy concerns such as appropriate state funding for MDA, MSU Extension and MSU Ag Bio Research, state-support of migrant housing inspections and other needed programs.


MichiganApples.com