Climate change is negatively affecting the apple industry, and Yakima County in Washington state is experiencing the most significant consequences. Researchers from Washington State University (WSU) analyzed over 40 years of climate data related to apple growth and found that apple production nationwide faces an elevated climate risk. The study identified the top three apple-producing counties in the U.S.
— Yakima, Washington, Kent, Michigan, and Wayne, New York — as being among the most vulnerable. Yakima County, the largest apple producer in the country with over 48,800 apple orchards, exhibited harmful trends in five out of six analyzed metrics. Dr. Deepti Singh, a WSU climate scientist and the study's corresponding author, explained to KIRO Newsradio that fewer cooler days hinder bud formation and blooming, while excessive heat causes sunburnt apples, which appear as browning on the surface. As a result of these changes, apple growers are implementing adaptations, such as using netting to protect apples from excessive sun exposure. However, these additional measures increase costs. Climate change also has indirect impacts on apple crops, affecting pests, diseases, and pathogens that can negatively influence crop health. Dr. Lee Kalcsits, a WSU tree physiologist and study co-author, emphasized the importance of adaptation strategies in Washington state, where a significant portion of commercial apple production takes place.