Total U.S. apple storage as of May 1, 2026 came in at 70 million bushels, down 4% from last May's 72 million bushels. Fresh apple holdings specifically are down 10% year over year at 47 million bushels, though the overall figure remains 9% above the five-year average for this time of year.
The fresh apple storage drawdown is the more important number for buyers. With 10% fewer fresh apples in storage compared to last May, the late-season supply cushion is thinner — meaning any disruption to the new crop timeline could accelerate price pressure. Washington's 2026 crop outlook will be critical context to watch.
Heading into summer, this sets up a narrowing window between old-crop availability and new-crop arrivals. Category managers should be thinking now about how to position promotions and manage inventory around that transition period.