New Variety-Specific Apple Crop Insurance Coverage Available for New York Growers in 2027

CORTLAND, N.Y.  — Farm Credit East applauds the Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) expansion of the Apple Crop Insurance Program to allow many apple varieties to be insured individually rather than grouped within broader fresh apple categories. For today's apple growers, individual varieties often have unique production practices, input costs, yield potential, harvest windows, storage requirements, weather sensitivities and market values. The enhanced policy aligns insurance coverage with those differences, providing growers more precise risk protection beginning with the 2027 crop year.

The updated policy establishes variety-specific coverage for many of New York's leading apple varieties, including Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, McIntosh, Empire, Cortland, Ginger Gold, SnapDragon®, RubyFrost®, EverCrisp®, SweeTango® and others. The change creates a more refined unit structure that better reflects modern orchard management and the economic differences among apple varieties.

“New York growers have invested heavily in new varieties, advanced production systems, and market development over the last two decades,” said Jim Bittner, Director of the New York State Horticultural Society. “This enhancement recognizes the realities of modern apple production and provides growers with a more relevant risk management tool. It supports the continued growth and competitiveness of New York's apple industry.”

The policy enhancement is the result of extensive collaboration among apple growers, New York State Horticultural Society, Crop Growers, Farm Credit East and USDA's Risk Management Agency to modernize the program and improve its value to producers.

New York apple growers currently utilize 355 apple crop insurance policies covering 32,564 acres and providing more than $200 million in crop insurance protection. Crop insurance remains a critical risk management tool, helping producers protect their investment, manage weather-related risks, and support the long-term success of New York's apple industry.

“This is one of the most meaningful improvements we’ve seen to the Apple Crop Insurance Program in years,” said Joel Crist, CEO of Crist Brothers Orchards. “This year was a demonstration in how different varieties were impacted in totally different ways to the April freeze, from 95% loss on some varieties to nearly no loss on others. Furthermore, Apple varieties differ significantly in how they are grown, managed, stored and marketed. This updated structure recognizes those differences and gives growers an opportunity to better align their coverage with the realities of their operation. Every producer should take the time to understand how these changes may strengthen their risk management strategy.”

“The move to variety-specific coverage is a major advancement for New York apple producers,” said Jeremy Forrett, Crop Growers Leader and Farm Credit East Retail Financial Services Leader. “It recognizes the unique characteristics of individual varieties and provides growers with greater flexibility to align insurance protection with their operations.”

Forrett added, “Sound risk management remains essential to the long-term success of apple businesses. As producers continue to invest in premium varieties and advanced production systems, it is important that crop insurance evolves alongside the industry.”

Apple producers are encouraged to contact their Crop Growers agent to review available coverage options and determine how the revised policy may impact their risk management plan for 2027 and future crop years.

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