The start of 2026 brings a clear signal to the North American produce industry: the massive apple surpluses of the recent past are beginning to normalise. According to the latest data from the U.S. Apple Association, total apple storage as of January 1, 2026, sits at 147 million bushels. While this figure remains healthy relative to long-term averages, it represents a notable 3 percent decline compared to the 152 million bushels held in January 2025. For retailers, wholesaler

Aomori isn’t just “a place that grows apples.” It is  Japan’s Apple story. In recent years, Aomori has accounted for roughly ~60%+  of Japan’s apple output— ~61.99% in 2023  by one dataset—making it the country’s single most important supply engine. So when growers in Aomori’s Tsugaru region start pulling out apple trees and planting peaches, it’s not a lifestyle experiment. It’s a market signal. 1) Heat is now a quality risk, not just a yield risk 🍎🌡️ The headline problem