Apples in binData from the U.S. Apple Association has revealed a larger-than-normal 2022 U.S. apple crop. Projected at 10.7 billion pounds or 255 million bushels, this year’s projections were 2.7% higher than last year but 3.5% behind the five-year average. The association says its data is more comprehensive than USDA’s, due to looking beyond the top seven apple-producing states.

According to the association, the gala variety is expected to retain the top spot with almost 46 million bushels produced, or around 18% of the U.S. apple market. Other big hitters include red delicious, fuji, Honeycrisp and granny smith. From a trade perspective, the U.S. is maintaining positive trade balances for apples, exporting more than 38.5 million bushels of fresh apples in the last year, and importing just 6.3 million bushels.

Read more on the U.S. apple market and demand here.