Apple
Malus domestica
Perennial pome fruit tree well-suited to Zone 6a Western NY; requires chill hours met locally; high-density modern orchards yield well with intensive management.
Crop Snowflake Score
/acre
/acre
/acre
years
Overview
Growing Season
- Plant
- early spring – early spring
- Harvest
- late Aug-Oct – late Aug-Oct
- Frost-free days
- 160+
- GDD (base 50°F)
- 2,500
Yield
- Typical yield
- 784 bu/acre
- Productive lifespan
- 20 years
- Years to full prod.
- 5
- Labor
- 230 hrs/acre
Market Fit
Active Regional Buyers
Established crop with known regional buyers
Price Trend Stable/Up
Price stable over past 3 years
Supply Below Demand
Regional supply exceeds demand
Multiple Buyer Channels
Multiple market channels: wholesale, retail, processing, and/or direct
Value-Added Potential
Strong value-added potential through processing, direct sales, or specialty products
Market Growth Projected
Stable market outlook
Climate Fit
Hardiness Zone Match
Zone 6a within crop range (4.0-8.0)
GDD Sufficient
Regional GDD (2600) meets crop requirement (2500)
Precipitation Compatible
Regional precipitation (~40 in/yr) compatible with crop needs
Frost-Free Season OK
Frost-free season (160 days) meets crop requirement (160 days)
Chill Hours Met
Regional chill hours (1100) meet crop requirement (1000+)
Climate Trend Favorable
Climate projections remain favorable for this crop in the region
Infrastructure Fit
Equipment Compatible
Some specialized equipment needed but adaptable from existing vineyard infrastructure
Storage Available
Cold storage needed; may require investment
Irrigation Compatible
Irrigation beneficial; existing vineyard irrigation systems adaptable
Field Layout Suitable
Vineyard field layouts suitable for this crop
Labor Availability
High labor requirements; seasonal labor availability may be challenging
Processing Proximity
Processing/packing facilities within viable distance in WNY
Finance Fit
Revenue Above Average
Gross revenue ($11,000/acre) exceeds regional average
Input Costs Acceptable
Annual operating costs ($7,183/acre) are high
Payback Period OK
Long establishment period (5 years); extended payback
Insurance Available
Federal crop insurance available
Revenue Per Labor Hour
Revenue per labor hour ($48) is competitive
Grants/Subsidies
Grant and subsidy programs available (Specialty Crop Block Grant, EQIP, Beginning Farmer, etc.)
Economics Breakdown
| Avg Price/Unit | $20/bu |
| Gross Revenue/Acre | $11,000 |
| Annual Operating Cost | $7,183/acre |
| Establishment Cost | $12,000/acre |
| Total Input Cost | —/acre |
| Net Return/Acre | $167 |
| Revenue/Labor Hour | — |
| Crop Insurance | Available |
Source: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA RMA, regional budget studies (2025)
Risk Fit
Manageable Pest/Disease
Significant pest/disease pressure requiring intensive management
Market Diversified
Market access diversified across multiple channels
Low Establishment Risk
High establishment risk; significant investment and years before returns
Climate Resilient
Moderate climate resilience for the region
Regulatory Burden Low
Minimal regulatory burden for production and sale
Diversifies Portfolio
Diversifies farm revenue away from grape monoculture
Risk data for this crop is being collected. Check back soon.
Nearby Buyers
Data sources: Data sourced from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA resources, and regional research.
Economics data year: 2025 · Region: Lake Erie (lake_erie)