Source: UC DAVIS RURAL MIGRATION NEWS, 2/24/21


Apples originated in Central Asia. China is the world’s major apple producer, accounting for 39 million of the 86 million tons of apples produced in 2018, when the US produced five million tons of apples, Poland four million, Turkey 3.5 million, and Iran 2.5 million. Apples play an important role in mythology and religion as a forbidden fruit, as with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Apples are the most consumed and the most valuable fruit produced in the US, worth about $3.6 billion a year. Americans had an average 45 pounds of apples available in 2018, including 17 pounds available to eat fresh and 22 pounds available as apple juice and other products. By comparison, Americans consume 28 pounds of fresh bananas a year and eight pounds each of fresh grapes, oranges, and avocados.

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