Virginia fruit production increases: Apples rank 5th in the U.S., peaches 11th

In 2017, total peach production in Virginia was 7,000 tons, up 3,100 tons from 2016. Bearing acres were estimated at 1,200 acres, unchanged from 2016, with an average yield of 5.83 tons per acre, up 2.58 tons from 2016. Virginia ranks 11th in the nation for peach production.

Total apple production for 2017 was estimated at 225.0 million pounds, up 25 percent from 2016. Apples for processing accounted for 133.0 million pounds of the 2017 crop, up 27 percent from 2016. The number of bearing acres of apples totaled 10,000 acres in 2017, down 300 acres from 2016. The yield per acre was 22,500 pounds, 5,000 pounds more than in 2016. Virginia ranks 5th in the nation for apple production.

Total grape production for 2017 was estimated at 8,810 tons, up 310 tons from 2016. Bearing acres were estimated at 3,300, down 100 acres from 2016, with an average yield of 2.67 tons per acre, up 0.17 tons from 2016.