Green apples are popular for their crisp texture, refreshing taste, and sweet-tart flavour. However, global agricultural statistics generally classify apples as a single crop rather than publishing a separate worldwide ranking specifically for “green apples.” Therefore, the best available comparison is based on overall apple production and the countries that grow wide green varieties.
Which Country Produces the Most Green Apples?
China is the world’s largest apple-producing country, making it the leading nation when overall apple production is considered. According to the latest comparable FAOSTAT-based figures, China produced around 51.29 million tonnes of apples in 2024, far ahead of the United States and Türkiye.
China’s dominance is substantial: research published in Scientific Data says the country accounts for roughly 47% of global apple production.
However, it is important to clarify that this figure covers all apple varieties, not green apples alone.
Top Apple-Producing Countries in the World
Based on 2024 FAOSTAT data, the leading apple-producing countries include:
| Rank | Country | Apple Production in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 51.29 million tonnes |
| 2 | United States | 4.92 million tonnes |
| 3 | Türkiye | 4.42 million tonnes |
| 4 | Poland | 3.38 million tonnes |
| 5 | India | 2.63 million tonnes |
| 6 | Italy | 2.40 million tonnes |
| 7 | Iran | 2.35 million tonnes |
| 8 | Russia | 2.01 million tonnes |
| 9 | France | 1.96 million tonnes |
| 10 | Uzbekistan | 1.48 million tonnes |
These figures refer to total apples rather than green apples specifically.
Why Is China the World’s Biggest Apple Producer?
China’s huge apple industry is supported by its extensive growing areas, favourable production zones and large domestic market. Apple orchards are spread across several major regions, including the Loess Plateau, Bohai Rim and parts of northwest China.
A 2026 study also found that China’s apple orchards are distributed across 13 major apple-producing provinces, covering approximately 96% of the country’s apple cultivation area in the study’s mapped period.
Does China Produce Green Apples?
Yes. China grows numerous apple varieties, including green and yellow-green varieties. However, Red Fuji and other red-skinned varieties remain dominant in many major Chinese production areas, so it would be inaccurate to say that China’s entire apple production consists of green apples. A recent Chinese apple-industry report notes that Fuji varieties still account for around 78% of production in Shaanxi, one of China’s biggest apple-producing provinces.
What Are the Most Popular Green Apple Varieties?
One of the world’s best-known green apples is Granny Smith, which is recognised for its bright green skin and tart, crisp flavour. Other apple varieties can also have green or greenish-yellow skin, depending on the cultivar and stage of ripening.
Green apples are commonly eaten fresh and are also used in salads, desserts, juices, sauces and baked dishes.
Is There a Separate Ranking for Green Apple Production?
Not on a globally comparable basis. Major international agricultural databases such as FAOSTAT report “apples” as a crop category, rather than consistently separating production into red, green and other skin-colour categories.
Therefore, headlines claiming that a particular country is definitively the world’s No. 1 green-apple producer should be treated carefully unless they specify a particular variety, such as Granny Smith.
Green Apples vs Red Apples
Green apples are generally associated with a more tart and refreshing flavour, while red varieties are sweeter. Their nutritional profiles can vary by variety, growing conditions, and maturity, so skin colour alone does not determine whether one is universally healthier than the other.
Which Country Produces the Most Apples Overall?
China ranks first globally in total apple production. In 2024, its output was about 51.29 million tonnes, compared with approximately 4.92 million tonnes for the United States and 4.42 million tonnes for Türkiye.
This makes China by far the world’s largest apple-producing nation.
