The American apple crop is forecast to reach some 227 million cartons this season, according to figures released last week by the US Apple Association.

This figure represents an increase on the 2010 harvest and is in line with the US department of agriculture’s five-year average.

The western US states led by Washington are forecast to produce some 140m cartons, eastern states 56m, and the midwest 30.2m.

Red Delicious remains the most popular variety with growers and output should hold steady in the upcoming crop year at 54.4m boxes.

Gala production is forecast at 33m boxes, which is up three per cent on the 2010 crop, while Golden Delicious production is estimated to grow slightly to 24m boxes.

Together, Red Delicious, Gala and Golden Delicious are expected to make up 49.2 per cent of total US apple output, which is consistent with last year.

Nancy Foster, US Apple’s president and chief executive, said: “We are looking forward to an excellent apple crop in 2011 with great tasting, fresh apples being harvested steadily through November. Flavours will be exceptional.

“The industry’s export earnings and sales volumes reached new records last year and we look forward to another successful season.”

Archetypal US varieties Empire and McIntosh are expected to recover ground on last year. They are expected to climb nine and seven per cent respectively.