| The rankings of the mid-Atlantic states in national apple production are as follows: Washington, New York, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Oregon, Ohio, Idaho, New Jersey, Maine, Massachusetts, and Maryland (other states produce less than 75,000,000 pounds. Virginia ranks approximately sixth in the nation for apple production (about 16,438 acres in 2001). Most production is located in the western counties stretching from Winchester (Frederick Co.) in the north, to the tier of counties along the North Carolina border. A listing of the more important apple-producing counties with 2001 acreage planted to apple follows. Frederick 6,466 acres, Shenandoah 2,316, Rockingham 1,451, Clarke 1,451, Nelson 1,023, Albemarle 704, Botetourt 346, Patrick 350, Rappahannock 319, Carroll 304, Madison 199, and Bedford 177. Much acreage is devoted to processing production, especially in the northern counties; elsewhere in the state, fresh production predominates. The five leading varieties are Red Delicious, York, Golden Delicious, Rome and Fuji. There has been increased interest in newer varieties such as Gala, Braeburn, and Ginger Gold, as well as more dwarfing rootstocks. In 1998, 280 million pounds were produced (42 lb/bushel). A five-year average (1994-1998) of crop value is $31.0 million. This does not include value-added aspects such as sales of processed fruit. See the Apple Crop Profile by Tukey et al. (2000). |