Changing Climate Threatens U.S. Apple Production in Key Regions

A new study highlights climate risks to apple crops in Washington, Michigan, and New York, with potential shifts in growing areas and quality impacts.

Researchers analyzed over 40 years of climate data, identifying six key metrics affecting apple growth, including extreme heat, warm nights, and frost timing.
Yakima County, Washington, the nation's largest apple-producing region, showed harmful trends in five of the six metrics studied.
Climate changes are altering apple flowering times, increasing risks of sunburn, and impacting fruit appearance and quality in major growing regions.
Some regions may benefit from fewer cold days and earlier frost endings, but these shifts could also increase vulnerability to extreme cold events.
Growers are employing adaptive measures like netting and cooling systems, while researchers stress the need for tailored strategies to mitigate long-term impacts.