Agronometrics in Charts: The truth behind Honeycrisp apples' relentless price climb

Each week, the series ‘Agronometrics In Charts’ looks at a different horticultural commodity, focusing on a specific origin or topic, and visualizing trade market factors that are driving change. Check out our entire archive . Honeycrisp apple prices are rising again as limited late-season supplies, strong demand, and high production costs converge ahead of the next harvest window. I nventories are now projected to run out as early as July. The fall boom pulled forward what should have been the spring supply, and prices have risen accordingly. An inherently expensive fruit variety Released to commercial growers by the University of Minnesota in 1991 , the variety's signature crunch comes from unusually large cells that rupture when bitten, the same characteristic that makes it bruise easily during harvest and handling. Because of its thin, delicate skin, Honeycrisp cannot be harvested with two hands the way hardier varieties like Red Delicious can. Pickers must use one hand to ...