Bearing apple acreage in Washington is estimated at about 190,000 acres, an estimated 15,000 acres of these orchards are non-bearing. From 28 to 35 percent of the crop is exported yearly, with major markets in the Asian Rim, Canada, Mexico, and South America.
Greatest expenses are labor for picking, pruning and hand fruit thinning.
The range in cost is due to the great variability in the time it takes to sort and pack fruit caused by varietal and quality differences. The major production regions are East of the Cascade Mountains, in the North Central to South Central areas of the State. Minor production areas include the Greenbluff area North of Spokane, and the region around Mt. Vernon, in the Northwestern corner of the State. Earliness and length of growing season varies greatly. Warmer, long-season areas are best suited to varieties such as Pink Lady and Granny Smith, while the more moderate and cooler regions are famous for their ability to produce any variety of apple, especially those valued for their red color.