Why are Honeycrisp Apples So Expensive Right Now?

Honeycrisp apples are known for their crunch and sweet, yet tart flavor. They are also known for their higher price. Why are Honeycrisp more expensive than other apples?

📋 What's New In This Post (9/13/25) - Added more reasons why Honeycrisp cost more.

Jump to:

• Honeycrisp is Moneycrisp
• Why Honeycrisp are More Expensive
• Are They Always More Money?
• Are Honeycrisp Apples Worth the Price?
• What Apples Are Cheaper Than Honeycrisp (But Still Taste Great)?

Why Honeycrisp are More Expensive

What it comes down to the most to why Honeycrisp are more expensive is that they are challenging to grow. I have heard from many different farmers about the challenges they faced and how hard they are to grow.

I am actually amazed this apple became so widely grown with all the problems that it has.

Here is a list of issues I have personally heard about with growing it from different farmers.

• .An orchard in Michigan I worked for had problems with the apple splitting. Typically each week, we end up with a basket full of Honeycrisp apples that had cracks the size of the Grand Canyon. We could not sell them - so they became free samples for the help.
• That same orchard also had trouble with grafting the trees. Grafting is a way to take a branch from one tree, plant it on the root stock of another tree to reproduce the same apple as the original tree the branch came from.
• I did a podcast interview with another grower in Michigan, and one of the things he had to say about Honeycrisp is that they have to clip off the stem of the apples. The issue is if you don't the stems are "sharp" enough to pierce the skin of the other apples when you put them in a bin. This ruins the apples, so they can't sell them.
• There is a condition called bitter pit that occurs in some apples including Honeycrisp. The apples will be picked and then in storage develop these brown spots on the fruit. The apples are actually still safe to eat, but no one wants to buy an apple that looks like this:

• In order to try and prevent bitter pit farmers have to treat the trees with calcium, which costs the farmer money, raising the price.
• You also can't pick all the apples at once, which requires the pickers to go out to the trees and pick them multiple times.

People Will Pay for Honeycrisp

Something else you have to factor in is that people are willing to pay for Honeycrisp. The Honeycrisp has gotten the reputation as being a premium apple, so people expect to pay a premium price. If no one was paying that price for them, then either they wouldn't be as expensive or we flatly wouldn't have them as farmers wouldn't make enough money on them.

Are They Always More Money?

No they aren't. I have seen many examples of them being the same price as other apples. It just all depends. At the grocery store unless there is a sale going on, they are going to be more than Fuji, Gala, or other popular apples. But I have been to farm markets where they were the same price as other apples and I have also seen u-pick farms that allow you to pick Honeycrisp for the same price as their other apples. If you shop around you may be able to find a better deal.

Are Honeycrisp Apples Worth the Price?

During the peak season, I think if you love the apple and want to pay the premium price go right ahead. But when we get into the winter months, I don't recommend buying them at all. I don't think the flavor holds up. I have had many readers of my blog, say they bought Honeycrisp in the winter and were disappointed.

What Apples Are Cheaper Than Honeycrisp (But Still Taste Great)?

If you love Honeycrisp but not the prices there are plenty of other apples I think you will like. In recent years, new apple varieties have been coming out right and left that were made by crossing a Honeycrisp with another apple. The hope is to produce an apple that has some of the characteristics of Honeycrisp but is easier for the farmers to grow and stores longer than Honeycrisp.

Cosmic Crisp is no doubt the clear leader to "replace Honeycrisp". It's a crisp apple developed in Washington that does better in cold storage. You can find them for a really good price most places. I have seen them as low as 97 cents a pound.

If you are curious what other apples have been made by crossing a Honeycrisp with another check out my post on What Apples are Related to Honeycrisp? Also if you are interested to learn more about Honeycrisp's future check out my podcast episode - The Future of Honeycrisp.

Have you tried Cosmic Crisp? Do you like it better than Honeycrisp? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.