In Minnesota, the birthplace of the Honeycrisp apple, this variety is not only cherished for its origins but also for its unique texture and flavor. Recent data from the USDA reveals a significant drop in the retail price of Honeycrisps, now at $1.70 per pound from $2.49 the previous year.
The Honeycrisp, which was introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1991, quickly ascended to become the third most sought-after apple variety in the United States, with prices once hitting around $4 per pound in 2012.
Jim Luby, a horticultural science professor at the University of Minnesota, notes that the surge in Honeycrisp planting over the last two decades has culminated in these trees reaching their optimal production levels. Consequently, states like Washington, New York, and Michigan experienced a significant yield last year. "The supply of Honeycrisp fruit has finally caught up with demand — at least for this year," Luby remarked. "The surplus of the Honeycrisp this winter is 71 percent higher than the five-year average," wrote James Williams of United Apple Sales. He further speculated that, should the orchards continue to produce bountiful harvests, the current surplus could lead to prolonged periods of lower prices.
Source: axios.com