10 World’s Biggest Apple Producers- Based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2021, there are 10 world’s biggest Apple Producers. They have huge production of apples. With these productions, they can fulfill the domestic consumptions and meet export foreign markets. In the year 2021, apple production recorded 93 million tons with 4.8 hectares of harvested area.
Based on the Worldwide Database from 1970 to 2021 from FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), The World Production of Apple in 1970 reached 27 million Tonnes with harvested areas of around 2.7 million hectares. This area and production have increased substantially from time to time. In 2021, the world’s production of Apple had become 93 million tonnes with harvested areas of around 4.8 million tonnes. The increasing demand from time to time makes Apple must be cultivated in the long term periods.
The World’s Production and Harvested Areas of Apples From 1970 to 2021
| Years | Harvested Area | World’s Production of Apple |
|---|---|---|
| (Hectare) | (Tonnes) | |
| 1970 | 2,778,777 | 27,005,728 |
| 1971 | 2,796,644 | 26,580,791 |
| 1972 | 2,896,559 | 24,759,595 |
| 1973 | 3,049,261 | 29,138,481 |
| 1974 | 3,049,136 | 27,121,411 |
| 1975 | 3,292,617 | 31,135,523 |
| 1976 | 3,406,071 | 31,406,940 |
| 1977 | 3,449,361 | 30,490,589 |
| 1978 | 3,475,335 | 32,486,840 |
| 1979 | 3,777,541 | 36,556,334 |
| 1980 | 3,575,044 | 33,942,609 |
| 1981 | 3,548,212 | 32,667,138 |
| 1982 | 3,703,764 | 40,496,873 |
| 1983 | 3,702,932 | 39,795,515 |
| 1984 | 3,762,460 | 39,814,942 |
| 1985 | 4,311,352 | 38,908,542 |
| 1986 | 4,672,497 | 42,595,784 |
| 1987 | 4,891,547 | 38,462,837 |
| 1988 | 5,162,285 | 42,688,532 |
| 1989 | 5,146,862 | 42,464,226 |
| 1990 | 5,096,960 | 41,045,985 |
| 1991 | 4,904,704 | 35,991,124 |
| 1992 | 5,167,560 | 44,263,660 |
| 1993 | 5,599,683 | 47,727,080 |
| 1994 | 6,084,543 | 46,468,250 |
| 1995 | 6,299,249 | 48,852,053 |
| 1996 | 6,278,216 | 54,337,383 |
| 1997 | 6,129,827 | 56,003,557 |
| 1998 | 5,751,286 | 54,927,433 |
| 1999 | 5,620,822 | 56,990,171 |
| 2000 | 5,462,740 | 59,130,404 |
| 2001 | 5,178,673 | 57,099,221 |
| 2002 | 5,019,378 | 55,301,698 |
| 2003 | 4,892,014 | 58,101,719 |
| 2004 | 4,815,357 | 62,240,082 |
| 2005 | 4,835,712 | 61,905,998 |
| 2006 | 4,720,603 | 63,248,878 |
| 2007 | 4,850,556 | 65,662,801 |
| 2008 | 4,681,745 | 69,038,547 |
| 2009 | 4,761,004 | 71,638,291 |
| 2010 | 4,868,805 | 71,187,919 |
| 2011 | 4,961,558 | 77,073,276 |
| 2012 | 5,036,859 | 78,598,078 |
| 2013 | 5,118,746 | 82,830,202 |
| 2014 | 5,090,705 | 85,346,327 |
| 2015 | 5,180,516 | 82,368,251 |
| 2016 | 4,863,309 | 85,095,374 |
| 2017 | 4,620,578 | 83,085,659 |
| 2018 | 4,639,332 | 85,903,043 |
| 2019 | 4,711,220 | 87,509,103 |
| 2020 | 4,782,734 | 90,490,295 |
| 2021 | 4,822,226 | 93,144,358 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
Statistically, based on continent regions, there are some major areas of apple cultivation. Asia become the biggest area of production. In 2021, the production from this continent reaches 61 million tons, followed by Europe with 18 million tons, Americas with 9 million tons, Africa with 3.5 million tons, and Oceania with 852 thousand tons.
Taxonomically, this plant can be included in Kingdom: Plantae; Order: Rosales; Family: Rosaceae; Genus: Malus; Species: M. domestica. Because it belongs to Rosaceae, this plant has close relation with cherry (Prunus subg. Cerasus), apricots (Prunus armeniaca), peach (Prunus persica), and pear (Pyrus L).
Based on the country data, there are 10 world’s biggest apple producers. Basically, this data was obtained from the FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2019 or FAOStats. Here is the rank of that country in 2019.
Table Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Apple Producers
| Rank | Countries | Production of Apples in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | China, mainland | 45,983,400 |
| 2 | Türkiye | 4,493,264 |
| 3 | United States of America | 4,467,206 |
| 4 | Poland | 4,067,400 |
| 5 | India | 2,276,000 |
| 6 | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 2,241,100 |
| 7 | Russian Federation | 2,216,200 |
| 8 | Italy | 2,211,740 |
| 9 | France | 1,633,080 |
| 10 | Chile | 1,556,805 |
| Source : FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), 2021 | ||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Apple Producers
1. China, mainland
China become the biggest country of apple production. In 2021, the production reach 45.9 million tons. Geographically, in this country, there are some regions of a major production of Apple. These are Shandong, Liaoning, Hebei, and Henan provinces in the Bohai Bay area, and Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Gansu provinces in the Loess Plateau area are the major apple cultivation provinces in China. During the 1980s, in this country, there are some popular apple cultivars. These are Ralls Janet, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Jonathan. At the present time, more than 70 percent of the cultivation area of apple are used for Red Fuji, Starkrimson, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, and Gala apple cultivars.
2.Turkey
Turkey become the second biggest country of apple production. In 2021, the production reach 4.9 million tons. Geographically, in Turkey, apples are grown in many regions across Turkey, but approximately 50 percent of all commercial apple production comes from three provinces: Isparta, Karaman, and Nigde. Genetically, based on the cultivar, there are some popular apples in in-country. Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, Jonagold, and Braeburn varieties are some of the more popular Apple in Turkey. This becomes the most cultivated apple in Turkey.
3.United States of America
United States of America become the third biggest country of apple production. In 2021, the production reach 4.4 million tons. Geographically, the top ten apple-producing states are Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio, and Idaho. Based on the cultivars of apples in this country, there is some popular apple fruit in this country. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious Apples, Honeycrisp Apples, Idared Apples, Cosmic Crisp, Jonathan Apples, Enterprise Apples, Empire Apples, and Cortland Apples are some of the apples that became the most cultivated apple in the USA.
4.Poland
Poland become the fourth biggest country of apple production. In 2021, the production reach 4 million tons. Statistically, in Poland, apples are produced mainly in the Grójec region in the Masovia province. Based on Genetically aspects, there are some popular Apples. Antonówka, Cortland, Gala, Gloster, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Idared are some of the popular Apples in Poland and have more areas of cultivating in this country.
5.India
India become the fifth biggest country of apple production. In 2021, the production reach 2.27 million tons. In India, Apple is primarily cultivated in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, hills of Uttar Pradesh, and Uttaranchal. It is also cultivated minor area in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Punjab, and Sikkim. In India, there are some popular Apple. These are Ambri Apple, McIntosh apple, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Sunehari, Lal Ambri, Chaubattia Anupam
6.Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iran become the sixth biggest country of apple production. In 2021, the production reach 2.24 million tons. Statistically, West Azerbaijan province is the leading apple producer in Iran with 277 apple trees in each hectare. Based on the genetic aspects, there are some popular apples in Iran. Golden Apple, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and Royal Gala are some of the popular Apple in Iran.
7.Russian Federation
Russia become the seveth biggest country of apple production. In 2021, the production reach 2.216 million tons. Statistically, the leading regions in the production of apples in Russia are Kabardino-Balkaria, Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Tula, Tambov, Lipetsk, Volgograd Regions. Based on the genetic aspects, there are some popular apples in Russia. Antonovka, Bogatyr, Simirenko, Anis, Moskovskoe Zimnee are some of popular Apples in Russia
8.Italy
Italy become the 8th biggest country of apple production. In 2021, the production reach 2.211 million tons. In Northern Italy, the autonomous province of South Tyrol has the biggest single area producing apple trees in Italy and Europe. Based on Genetically aspects, there are some Popular apples in Italy. Golden Delicious, Annurca, Campania, Renetta, Braeburn, Elstar, Fuji, Gala, Gloster, Granny Smith, Jonagold, Morgenduft, Red Delicious, Steiman, and Pinova are some of the popular apples in Italy.
9.France
France become the ninth biggest country of apple production. In 2021, the production reach 1.63 million tons. Geographically, these areas become the major area of Apples. these areas are Pays de Loire, PACA, South France, Tarn and Graronne, Normandy, and Britanny. In this country, there are some popular Apples. These are Pommes des Alpes de Haute Durance, Pomme du Limousin, Calville Blanc Apples, and Juliet Apples
10.Chile
Chile become the 10th biggest country of apple production. In 2021, the production reach 1.55 million tons. in Chile, there are some regions of Chile’s apple production. These areas are Maule and O’Higgins and La Araucania. Based on Genetics Aspects there are some popular apples in Chile. These are Royal Gala, Richard Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala, Tenroy Royal Gala, and Honeycrisp are some popular Apples in Chile.
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Apple Producers
FAOSTAT. 2019. Production quantities of Apples by country 2019. Accessed via https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize on December 21th, 2021,
Wang, Na & Wolf, Joost & ZHANG, Fu-suo. 2016. Towards sustainable intensification of apple production in China — Yield gaps and nutrient use efficiency in apple farming systems. Journal of Integrative Agriculture. 15. 716-725. 10.1016/S2095-3119(15)61099-1.
AgMRC. 2021. Apples. Accessed via https://www.agmrc.org/commodities-products/fruits/apples on December 21st, 2021.
USDA. Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual (Turkey). Accessed via https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/report/downloadreportbyfilename?filename=Fresh%20Deciduous%20Fruit%20Annual_Ankara_Turkey_10-27-2015.pdf accessed via December 21th, 2021.
Farmer’s Week. 2020. Learning from apple growers in Poland. accessed via https://www-farmersweekly-co-za.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.farmersweekly.co.za/crops/fruit-nuts/learning-apple-growers-poland/amp/ on December 21th, 2021.
Vikaspedia. 2021. Apple production techniques. Accessed via https://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/crop-production/package-of-practices/fruits-1/apple-1/apple on December 21st, 2021.
FAO. 2014.Apple-Producing Family Farms In South Tyrol: An Agriculture Innovation Case Study. Accessed via https://www.fao.org/3/i3789e/i3789e.pdf on December 21st, 2021.
IranianFreshFruit. 2021. Export Iranian apple. Accessed via https://iranfreshfruit.net/apple-export on December 21th, 2021.
EastFruit. 2021. Apple harvest in Russia may reach 1.5 million tons in 2021. Accessed via https://east-fruit.com/en/news/apple-harvest-in-russia-may-reach-1-5-million-tons-in-2021/ on December 21st, 2021.
FreshPlaza. France: The Apple is the most Favourite Fruit. Accessed via https://www.freshplaza.com/article/2106932/france-the-apple-is-most-favourite-fruit/ on December 21st, 2021.
USDA. 2018. Fresh Delicious Fruit Annual (Chile). Accessed via https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/report/downloadreportbyfilename?filename=Fresh%20Deciduous%20Fruit%20Annual_Santiago_Chile_10-29-2018.pdf on December 21th, 2021.
Tasteatlas. 2021. 10 Most Popular American Apples. Accessed via https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-apples-in-usa in December 22th, 2021.
India Gardening.2020. Lists 20 Best Apple Varieties In India. Accessed via https://indiagardening.com/lists/best-apple-varieties-in-india-types-of/ on December 21st, 2021.
IranFreshFruit. 2020. Different kinds of Apple in IRan. Accessed via https://iranfreshfruit.net/types-of-apple on December 22th, 2021.
RussiaBeyond. 2017. Accessed via https://www.rbth.com/russian-kitchen/326595-5-kinds-of-russian-apples on December 221st, 2021.
TasteAtlas. 2021. 4 most popular French Apples. Accessed via https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-apples-in-france on December 21th, 2021.
FruitsfromChile. Apples. Accessed via https://fruitsfromchile.com/fruit/apples/ on December 21th, 2021.
