| Commercial apple production in the United States | | | | Columbian orchardists. |
| is limited to about four deprived areas: the | | | | World production of apples was 57 million metric |
| northwestern states, the Shenandoah-Cumberland | | | | tons per year at the beginning of the 21st |
| area, the northeastern states, and the | | | | century, led by China, the United States and |
| north-central states. The northwestern region is | | | | Turkey. The leading apple-producing countries in |
| known for their high returns, but makes | | | | Europe are France, Italy, Poland and Germany, |
| extensive use of artificial irrigation. | | | | most of the crop is processed as either cider or |
| Of the several thousand varieties of apples, | | | | brandy. Apple production in the United States at |
| relatively few have a commercial interest. It is | | | | the beginning of the 20th century was about 7 |
| particularly well adapted to the northwestern | | | | percent of the world total. Washington is the |
| United States but grew in all the apple commercial | | | | major apple-producing states of the United States. |
| areas. McIntosh is the largest apple in the | | | | Next position in descending order was New York, |
| northeastern United States. Varieties best | | | | Michigan, California, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. |
| adapted to the north-central region are McIntosh, | | | | Apples are eaten in the fresh state, has served |
| Jonathan, Rome Beauty, rich, and Cortland. | | | | as the main ingredient of such a baked desserts |
| Eastern Canadian apple growers cultivate varieties | | | | like apple cakes and apple strudel, and processed |
| almost the same as those grown in the | | | | into dried apples, canned sauce, slices, jelly, and |
| northeastern United States. British Columbia is the | | | | pasteurized juice, cider and vinegar. Applejack is a |
| best for the varieties grown in the Northwest, | | | | common American name for apple brandy. France |
| McIntosh, however, is a favorite among British | | | | is the largest producer of apples fire. |