Harvest of Gala and Honeycrisp has started in Washington state, marking the opening of the 2026/2027 apple season. Early indicators suggest a smaller overall U.S. crop compared to last year. Honeycrisp sales are described as brisk, with the new crop entering a relatively clean market given that Gala supplies from last season had already run tight.
Washington is the dominant apple-producing state in the U.S., and crop size signals at the start of harvest set the tone for pricing, promotional planning, and inventory strategy for the entire fall and winter season. A smaller crop heading into a market with already-thinned Gala inventory could mean sustained price support through the holidays.
Buyers and category managers planning fall apple programs should factor in potential tightness when locking in volume commitments. Worth monitoring how harvest estimates evolve over the next few weeks as more varieties come in.