ALBANY New York has yet again ranked as the second highest producer of apples and the third highest producer of grapes in the nation, according to a recent USDA statistical report.
New York's apple industry has been ranked the second highest every year since 1996 and the third highest in grape production ever year since 1987, state officials said.
Only California and Washington produce more grapes than New York annually; Washington is the only state that produces more apples than New York.
"New York is home to some of the best agricultural products in the world, and these numbers show that this state remains a national leader," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement Wednesday. "A sustainable farming sector not only grows the economy and creates jobs, but also makes it clear that New York is open for business."
In October 2013, Cuomo signed a legislation that allowed new farm cideries to obtain licenses to use crops grown only in New York, leading to 11 new farm cideries in the state.
New York is currently home to 40,000 acres of apple orchards, with each producer averaging 31,500 pounds of apples per acre, according to the USDA Statistics Service.
In 2014, the state's apple crop sales saw a 22 percent increase from 2013, with $289 million in sales. In addition, grape producers grew 5 tons of grapes per acre, totaling $69 million in sales.
The statewide Taste NY campaign has also impacted grape juice and wine sales, most recently at the Boston Wine Expo earlier this month where 25 wineries participated, one of the largest wine-related event in the Northeast, Cuomo said.
Taste NY stations are located at Thruway rest stops, and Taste NY stores are located throughout the state, including at Grand Central Terminal and on the Taconic Parkway.
"We might be number two in national apple production, but New York has the best growing conditions and best tasting apples in the country. Snow may be on the ground, but New York apples, ciders and other apple products are available at food establishments throughout the year," Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, said in a statement.
In addition to apples and grapes, New York also ranks in the top 10 nationally in the production of blueberries, peaches, pears, strawberries and sweet/tart cherries.
