Apple a Day

Apple is a widely consumed edible fruit, which is borne by the apple tree (Malus Domestica). Appletree was originated in Central Asia. It is believed that the apple was domesticated between 4000-10000 years ago in the Tian Shan mountains, a large system of mountain ranges in Central Asia.

- Jhuma Biswas

Apples rolled into continental Europe through the famed Silk Route. In the UK, the fruit arrived in the late 11th century. Apples have been grown in Asia and Europe for millennia. European colonists could be credited for introducing applies to North America.

China is the largest producer of apples across the world, followed by the European Union. According to Statista, during the 2019/2020 crop year, China was the highest producer of apples worldwide, followed by the European Union.

Global and Indian Production

According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organiza ion Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) that disseminates statistical data collected and maintained by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), during 2016 and 2017 China was the highest producer of apples in the world, followed by the European Union. According to FAOSTAT, in 2018, the global production of apples was 86 million tonnes, and China accounted for 46 percent of it.

India is also one of the major global producers of apples. As per Statista, India ranked fifth in the list of apple-producing countries during the 2019-20 crop year. The US, Turkey, Iran, Italy, and Poland are among other major producers of apples in the world.

In India, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh are the major apple-producing states. Jammu & Kashmir accounts for more than 75 percent of India’s apple production. In fact, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh together account for more than 95 percent of India’s total apple production.