The full impact of COVID - 19 on the sale of apples is not y et kno w n During the economic crisis of 2008 - 2009 , apple sales remained stable Historicall y , apples ha v e been a staple food and economic do w nturns ha v e not affected sales in a significant w a y Increased rainfall and earlier springs bring more pests , w eeds and infections to orchards The changing climate has created more barriers to gro w ing apples and other fruit Will the environment continue to support growing and cultivating apples? Here's the data: Apples ha v e been a food staple for thousands of y ears Changes in climate and the earth present a challenge to the continuing gro w th of apples t h e e v i l l e g o o d b u l l e t i n c o m N ot so red Slo w l y rising temperatures cause apple gro w ing to be more difficult Too much heat causes color darkening and striations Earl y frost affects the te x ture Water A ra w , unpeeled , medium - si z ed apple contains about 86 % w ater Local w ater qualit y makes a difference in e v er y tree , e v er y fruit , e v er y apple eater A pples & economy Rain and heat The effects of COVID- 19 Food as medicine: apples Besides pro v iding h y dration , apples contain fiber , antio x idants to fight heart disease , are lo w in carbs to keep that a 1 c blood sugar do w n , and ma y augment brain health , as part of a plant - based diet that includes non - root fruits and v egetables like apples Apples are the most consumed fruit in the U S ., follo w ed closel y b y oranges In 2019 the a v erage U S per person consumption of all forms of apples had increased to about 26 3 pounds One of e v er y three apples gro w n in the U S is e x ported , but foreign markets also present a great deal of competition