The global apple market is experiencing a mix of steady demand, regional supply challenges, and pricing fluctuations. Weather impacts, evolving consumer preferences, and international trade patterns are shaping conditions across key producing and importing countries.
In Italy, apple stocks declined slightly year-on-year to 250,000 tons, with Golden Delicious down 25%. Despite solid sales, producers face mounting pressure from tightening crop protection regulations. In Germany, domestic apples led the market as European supply waned, while imports from the Southern Hemisphere gained ground. Prices remained largely stable, supported by strong demand and expanding placement options. In Poland, frost during flowering affected the upcoming crop, driving the sharpest price increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand remains high, with limited supply and modernisation efforts focusing on orchard efficiency rather than expansion.
© Viola van den Hoven-Katsman | FreshPlaza.com
Spain's apple season closes with low stocks and smaller sizes, while Girona growers anticipate a lighter Golden harvest. The Dutch apple market remains firm in pricing but shows signs of a slowdown. Traders report balanced supply for most varieties, though quality concerns are emerging for some. In France, hot weather and strong competition from stone fruit have slowed apple demand. Golden varieties are under pressure, while Club and Granny Smith apples perform more steadily.
In Switzerland, organic stocks remain high despite a 931-ton reduction in May. Conventional varieties showed mixed pricing trends, with Gala down 11% and Jazz up 5%. In North America, Washington's apple supply remains steady aside from lower Honeycrisp volumes, while Pennsylvania faces supply gaps. Pricing is expected to hold, with some varieties like Honeycrisp remaining strong and others steady.
In China, rising demand is driving up prices, especially for gift box formats featuring Queen apples. Limited high-quality arrivals are supporting weekly price increases for both Queen and Gala varieties. In India, growing import demand stems from insufficient domestic production, with Red Delicious still the top choice. Chilean RD and Gala are especially favoured for their quality and competitive pricing. South African apple exporters are navigating shifting dynamics in Asian and African markets, with varied demand patterns and logistical limitations shaping current trade flows.
In South America, apple producers are navigating a mix of stable output, shifting demand, and rising production costs. While Argentina and Chile maintain export momentum under cost pressures, Brazil's smaller but high-quality crop is supporting firm local prices and import potential.
Italy: Slight stock decline amid solid sales
As of June 1st, Italian apple stocks stood at 250,000 tons, marking a 7% decrease compared to the same period in 2024 (Assomela data). The Golden Delicious variety in particular showed a 25% lower stock level than last year. Sales of all varieties were satisfactory over the past month, with May's positive trend further supported by the limited availability of summer fruits, which helped sustain strong demand for Italian apples. Despite an overall positive commercial season, concerns persist within the industry regarding challenges in field production. The tightening of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for several key active substances is expected to make crop protection increasingly difficult.
According to YouGov data for the year ending April 2025, apples were purchased by 83% of Italian households. Overall, purchase frequency increased slightly over the year, although the volume per transaction declined. Nevertheless, the average receipt value remained essentially stable. Supermarkets continue to be the preferred purchasing channel, mainly due to convenience and accessibility, with a steady penetration rate of around 60%. As expected, discount stores have seen a significant increase, surpassing the 42% threshold and gaining nearly 4 percentage points over the past two years.
Germany: Southern imports rise as EU supply fades
In Germany, domestic offerings dominated over Italian ones, although the overall presence of European goods was significantly limited. French, Dutch, Belgian, and Polish lots served primarily as complementary options. Demand remained robust. As long as fruit quality was convincing, distributors were able to maintain the price levels from week 22. In some cases, increased volumes even allowed for price hikes. However, fruit with quality issues saw declining valuations.
Among overseas apples, imports from New Zealand and Chile were most prevalent. The first South African Gala and Jazz apples also arrived in Berlin. Interest was positive but easily met. As European competition receded, placement opportunities expanded. Nonetheless, prices remained largely unchanged. Across all product categories, wholesale prices are slightly to significantly higher than in the same period last year.
Poland: Frost impacts new crop as prices surge
Weather conditions over the past month have affected Polish apple production for the upcoming season, though not all varieties were impacted. During the flowering period, cold temperatures dropped to between -3°C and -7°C. The range of apple varieties cultivated in Poland is evolving annually. Older varieties are gradually disappearing, while new ones are already in the plans of exporters. For example, a new Gala variety and a new Red Delicious variety are being introduced with increasing volumes.
Regarding the current market situation in Poland, apple prices have surged over the past three weeks. This marks the most dramatic price increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. Most customers are struggling to cope with the higher prices. Polish supermarkets, in particular, have been vocal, rejecting the sharp increases and refusing to accept the new rates. However, some buyers have agreed to the updated pricing. At present, every available apple on the market has multiple buyers willing to pay high prices directly to growers, making it nearly impossible to source low-cost fruit.
Apple acreage in Poland has remained mostly stable in recent years. Rather than expanding, many growers are focusing on modernising their orchards through high-density planting to boost yields. These changes are driven by market demand for higher-quality fruit, economic considerations, and climate-related challenges. Overall, the trend is toward improving efficiency rather than increasing the total area under cultivation.
Spain: Girona expects smaller apple harvest
The apple season in Spain has been marked by limited volume availability in Europe and smaller-than-normal average sizes, particularly for certain varieties. Currently, bicolour and red varieties are practically sold out, even ending earlier than usual. In the case of Golden and Granny Smith, available stocks are only sufficient to bridge the gap until the next season. The production shortage has driven up processing prices, establishing a higher base price for apples compared to previous seasons. Consequently, many second-class apples that could not be adequately valued on the fresh market were sent directly to processing, easing pressure on the fresh market and helping to contain downward price pressure.
"In terms of prices, we can speak of decent levels, although nothing particularly noteworthy," says a grower and exporter. "The final payment to the grower will depend significantly on the sizes and qualities obtained by each grower." According to the producer, the low availability of large sizes has been a challenge. "It has been necessary to grade more intensively and carry out more packaging for export, freeing up smaller sizes to balance stocks."
The next harvest in Girona will begin in early August, starting with the Gala variety—the earliest on the calendar. As of today, it is still too early to have completely reliable data on the upcoming harvest. However, growers in Girona already anticipate that the number of fruits per tree is lower than last year. "We will have to wait and see to what extent this lower crop yield is offset by a possible increase in size, which could partially mitigate the reduction in total volume. In any case, everything indicates that the harvest will be somewhat shorter, especially for the Golden variety, which has a significantly lower crop yield," says the producer.
Netherlands: Market slows as Polish stocks clear and Elstar quality drops
A Dutch fruit trader describes the current apple market as sluggish but expensive. "The Polish market is now almost completely empty. Since the borders of Belarus reopened, their stocks—though large and of mediocre quality—have still been cleared out fairly well." According to the trader, supply in the Netherlands and Belgium is relatively in line with supermarket demand. There is also some demand coming from Germany. Prices for graded Jonagold apples are around €1.00. The market for Elstar apples, however, is under more pressure, and quality is starting to decline. "It's been a great season for growers, but not so much for traders," the trader concludes.
Belgium: Large New Apple Harvest Expected
"The quality of both apples and pears looks excellent for the upcoming season," says a Belgian trader. "Only with apples are we clearly expecting more. I estimate that Belgium will see around 20 percent more apples than last year. The trees had a chance to rest last year, which allowed them to develop strong buds and bloom well, so we're expecting a top harvest. Whereas last year's yield averaged around 30 tons, we're now looking at 60 tons or even more. It's a matter of alternation—one year yields less, the next more—but this is a significant increase."
France: Hot weather and stone fruit curb apple demand
In France, the number of available apple varieties continues to decline. Demand remains weak, influenced by high temperatures and competition from stone fruit, which is disrupting the balance between supply and demand. Interest in the Golden variety is particularly low. According to RNM, the marketing of Club varieties and Granny Smith appears less affected by this trend. Demand for Granny Smith is more active, and the market for Jonagored is developing.
Switzerland: Organic stocks remain high despite May reduction
In Switzerland, conventional Gala apples are 11% cheaper compared to the same period last year, while Jazz apples are 5% more expensive. Prices for Granny Smith (-17%) and Diwa (-10%) are also significantly lower. In May 2025, organic apple stocks were reduced by 931 tons; however, by the end of the month, approximately 2,461 tons of organic apples remained in storage. This figure is around 2,200 tons higher than in May 2024 and about 1,400 tons more than in May 2023, according to BioSuisse and Swisscofel.
North America: Stable pricing expected as Washington supplies continue
While the overall apple supply from Washington remains strong, volumes of Honeycrisp are lower this year. However, the other main varieties—including Gala and Red Delicious—will remain available until the new harvest.
Meanwhile, supply from states such as Pennsylvania may face challenges over the summer, as the state is experiencing gaps in some varieties it typically maintains, such as Gala and Red Delicious. This follows a smaller apple crop in Pennsylvania for the 2024–2025 season.
Apple demand has been good, though consumption generally softens at this time of year as summer fruits like berries and stone fruit take shelf space. Overall, domestic demand remains strong, while export volumes are lower.
Pricing varies by variety. Honeycrisp prices remain high, while prices for other varieties—such as Cosmic Crisp, Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, and EverCrisp—are stable. Prices are expected to remain steady, though some promotional activity may help sustain apple demand through the summer, given the volumes still to be sold from Washington.
China: Gift box sales drive apple market upward
Recently, apple sales in China have gradually picked up, with prices showing a slight increase, particularly for gift boxes, which are performing well. New Zealand Gala apples are currently priced at approximately €41.10 per box. Traders report that limited arrivals and a shortage of high-quality batches have led to consistent weekly price increases.
Thanks to improved flavour, prices for Queen apples have gradually rebounded to around €46.30 per box. Most apple gift boxes feature Queen apples. However, while some higher-priced varieties not packaged as gifts are also available, their sales are progressing more slowly.
India: Imports rise as domestic supply falls short
India's apple import industry is expanding rapidly due to insufficient domestic production to meet growing local demand. Major supplying countries include Iran, Turkey, Poland, Chile, New Zealand, Italy, and the U.S., with apples from these origins widely popular in the Indian market. The Red Delicious (RD) variety remains the most favoured in India, valued for its familiar taste and affordability. However, demand for premium varieties such as Gala, Granny Smith, and Cosmic Crisp is on the rise, driven by growing health awareness, exposure to global trends, and a preference for diverse flavours and textures.
Chilean RD and Chilean Gala are currently the most sought-after varieties, appreciated for their consistent quality, attractive pricing, and superior taste compared to some other sources. Chilean apples hold a strong position in the Indian market due to their competitive pricing compared to Washington and New Zealand apples, while still maintaining high quality. This balance has supported steady demand.
South Africa: Eastern demand strong, but export options narrow
The East continues to draw South African apples, as evidenced by the current apple promotion by the country's deciduous fruit industry body at Chinese retailers. However, one exporter notes that there were not enough red Fujis to meet demand in China.
There has been a sharp reduction in apple shipments to Vietnam, a destination that attracted significant attention in recent years but delivered very poor prices last season. "Around 50% fewer Fujis have been sent to Vietnam this season. There aren't many other markets for low-coloured Fuji in the East, and South Africa is limited in its options," the exporter adds.
The Malaysian apple market is described as moribund, with exporters receiving numerous requests for market assistance.
India, another market generating considerable interest, is approaching the end of its import window as its domestic harvest begins. Exports to India, once focused solely on Royal Gala, now include newer Gala varieties, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Top Red, and several pear varieties. Despite being in the same economic bloc as South Africa, India maintains high import tariffs and enforces stricter cold sterilisation protocols than most other countries.
Africa remains a consistent export destination. From Johannesburg's municipal market, higher volumes of apples are transported across the border than are sold locally. The current average price of apples is approximately €0.45 per kilogram, around 10% higher than last year.
Argentina: Stable output, rising costs challenge exports
In Argentina, apple production during the 2025 season recorded stable yields and satisfactory calibres. The most exported variety remained Cripps Pink (Pink Lady), primarily shipped to regional markets such as Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru. However, the domestic market contracted due to the broader national economic context, and Brazil temporarily reduced its purchasing pace.
Production costs are increasing in pesos more rapidly than the depreciation of the exchange rate, weakening Argentina's competitiveness against other producing countries. Exporters are often faced with the decision of whether it is worthwhile to pack and export, as the exchange rate is not keeping up. Meanwhile, logistical, labour, and input costs—priced in U.S. dollars—remain high, limiting profit margins. (Logistical and production costs are estimated at roughly €0.93 per dollar.)
Despite these constraints, Argentine apples continue to maintain a presence in demanding markets such as Europe and the United States, although competition remains strong from countries like Chile, South Africa, and Eastern Europe. The domestic economic outlook remains the most significant risk factor for the sector.
Chile: Higher shipping costs and shorter export window
Chile's 2025 apple season began with weather-related difficulties but stabilised from March onward due to improved climatic conditions. Key export varieties included Royal Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady.
A major challenge this season has been the sharp rise in logistical costs, with shipping rates increasing by up to €1,390 per container (converted from USD 1,500) compared to the previous year. This has reduced returns per exported box. However, the appreciation of the euro and the British pound against the U.S. dollar has helped to partially offset this impact in European markets. In contrast, the United States saw a structural decline in demand due to its growing domestic supply.
Chile is also facing a more limited commercial window, as Northern Hemisphere countries improve their storage capacity and productivity. Although the national apple acreage has declined, the sector's commitment to apple production remains firm.
Brazil: Smaller crop and strong quality drive local prices
In 2025, Brazil will produce a high-quality apple crop, characterised by good size, sweetness, and colour, which enhances its market competitiveness. Traditionally focused on domestic supply, the country is now facing a projected 20% drop in volume compared to last year. This reduced output could tighten local availability and open up opportunities for imports, particularly from Argentina and Chile.
Favourable weather in the main growing states has supported strong fruit development. Local prices remain high due to the combination of limited supply and excellent quality, positioning Brazil as an attractive market for both local sales and selective imports during the second half of the year.
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