U.S. Apple Association

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) serves one essential mission: to provide to all segments of the U.S. apple industry the means to profitably produce and market apples and apple products. We are committed to serving the entire U.S. apple industry by representing the industry on national issues, increasing the demand for apples and apple products, and providing information on matters pertaining to the apple industry.

USApple members include 40 state and regional apple associations representing the nation´s 7,500 apple growers, as well as more than 1,000 individual firms involved in the apple business. We unify a diverse U.S. industry to serve three primary goals:

? Represent the entire industry on national issues;
? Increase the demand for apples and apple products; and
? Provide information on matters pertaining to the apple industry.

USApple is the national voice and the national resource serving the interests of the entire American apple industry.

Who We Represent

USApple is a nonprofit membership association supported by individuals and corporate members as well as state/regional associations of apple producers. Our members are individuals or firms handling apples, such as growers, packer/shippers, marketers and processors; equipment suppliers and allied industry companies; retailers not involved in growing, packing or processing apples; trade and professional associations; professionals associated with government, educational or research institutions; and other interested parties associated with the apple industry.

USApple´s governing board of directors is comprised of 25 elected members responsible for guiding USApple´s mission and activities. The executive committee of the board, along with several working committees, addresses the concerns of the industry as a whole. The USApple staff, located in Vienna, Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C., is responsible for conducting daily operations as determined by the board of directors.

What We Do

Advocacy

USApple represents the U.S. apple industry´s interests on federal policy issues by:

? voicing the industry´s views to Congress and the Executive Branch on:

• labor;
• environmental issues;
• food safety;
• trade;
• research; and
• regulations;

? resolving the apple industry´s concerns by working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Trade Representative, Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration;

? activating a network of apple advocates nationwide to support legislative goals; and

? working with other produce and agricultural groups in coalitions to achieve mutual interests.

Nutrition Research and Consumer Education

USApple educates consumers about the health benefits of consuming apples and apple products by sponsoring research and developing and distributing communications tailored to:

? national health, nutrition and food media;
? health educators, groups and other influential organizations;
? schools; and
? industry and industry publications.

Information

USApple serves as a resource center for the apple industry and key audiences by providing information to members, media, federal government and the general public through:

? our monthly membership newsletter, Apple News;
? crop storage and movement reports published in Market News from November through July; and
? annual August outlook conference and other meeting/networking opportunities.

The U.S. Apple Industry, an Overview

The United States has approximately 7,500 apple producers who grow nearly 100 varieties of apples on approximately 363,000 acres. Total U.S. apple production in 2009 was approximately 236 million bushels with an estimated farm-gate value of almost $2.4 billion. The average yield was 611.9 bushels per acre. Apples are grown commercially in 32 states and the top ten apple producing states are:

• Washington
• New York
• Michigan
• Pennsylvania
• California
• Virginia
• Oregon
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• West Virginia

63.7 percent of the U.S. crop is grown for fresh consumption and 36.3 percent goes for processing. The following chart depicts how the U.S. apple crop is used.

Favorite Varieties of Apples

The United States grows nearly 100 varieties of apples in commercial production. There are also numerous “heirloom” varieties grown in backyards and also commercially for “niche” markets. The top ten apple varieties grown in the United States are:

• Red Delicious
• Gala
• Golden Delicious
• Granny Smith
• Fuji
• McIntosh
• Rome
• Empire
• Braeburn
• Idared

Several “newer” varieties, such as Honeycrisp and Zestar!, are gaining a large public following, even though their current production levels remain relatively small.

A Global Perspective

The United States is the world´s second largest producer of apples, behind the People´s Republic of China. Poland, Turkey and Italy rank third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Approximately one out of every four fresh apples grown in the United States is exported. The top ten export markets for U.S. grown apples in 2009 were:

• Mexico
• Canada
• Taiwan
• India
• United Kingdom
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• United Arab Emirates
• China, People´s Republic

The United States also imports fresh apples, predominately from the Southern Hemisphere, to keep grocery store shelves stocked from March to July. Approximately six percent of fresh apples consumed are imported. The top five sources of imports are:

• Chile
• New Zealand
• Canada
• Argentina
• Brazil