How Many Pounds Are In A Bushel Of Apples

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So, as mentioned in my post on how many pounds are in a peck of apples, recently, I went to my local farmers market to grab some fresh, organic apples. One of the things, however, that confused me was the measurements of pecks and bushels. As such, I had a natural question: how many pounds are in a bushel of apples? 

A bushel of apples weighs approximately 40 to 56 pounds, equivalent to 18 to 25 kilos. On average, most apple bushels weigh around 48 pounds or 21.7 kilos. A bushel of apples will contain around 112 to 136 apples per bushel. 

So do different apple species impact how much a bushel of apples weighs? And what exactly is a peck of apples? Keep reading to find out more!

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How many pounds are in a bushel of apples

So once I purchased my bushel of apples, I wanted to get to the bottom of what exactly I had just bought. 

As such, I contacted my local botanical gardens and farm and surveyed five plant paladin readers. 

All to ensure you have the best post on what a bushel of apples is and how many pounds are in a bushel of apples. 

To summarize: 

• One bushel of apples typically weighs 40 to 56 pounds, with most bushels averaging around 48 pounds.  
• In kilos, one bushel of apples weighs around 18 to 25 kilos. 
• One bushel will contain about 112 to 136 medium-sized apples. 
• This is significantly more than even the most significant store-bought bag of apples which will contain at most ten to 25 apples. 
• Bushels of apples can also typically be sold in chip baskets with the same weight. 
• A bushel of apples is equivalent to four pecks of apples. Bushels then will typically be on the larger side of portion sizes available from orchids. 
• You can purchase both pecks and bushes of apples will be purchased from farmers’ markets or directly from farms. Due to their large quantities, wholesalers buy them to repackage and then sell them to retail stores or supermarkets. 

How much does a bushel of apples weigh? Weight Comparison

So now we know that generally, a bushel of apples weighs around 40 to 56 pounds; what does this look like in other weight formats? 

After all, only some worldwide respond to using pounds as a measuring unit for a peck of apples. 

To help simplify things then, I’ve put together a comparison table below

Weight comparison of a bushel of apples: 

Note: These values are approximate and may vary depending on the variety and size of the apples. Also, some of these measurements, such as liters, may not be commonly used for measuring the weight of apples.

Farmer’s markets and orchids will also typically sell apples by half bushels and pecks, so I’ve enclosed tables comparing these below too. 

How much does half a bushel of apples weigh?

Half a bushel of apples weighs 20 to 28 pounds or 9 to 12.6 kilos. A half bushel of apples will contain around 56 to 68 apples per a half bushel. A half bushel of apples will typically cost and weigh twice the amount as a peck of apples. 

How much does a peck of apples weigh?

A peck of apples weighs approximately 10 to 14 pounds, equivalent to 4.5 to 6.3 kilos or eight dry quarts. A peck of apples weighs about a quarter of a bushel, around 40 to 56 pounds. One peck typically contains around 30 to 35 small to medium-sized apples.

What is a peck of apples? 

A peck of apples is a measurement unit used by farms and farmers’ markets to sell apples to customers. One peck of apples typically weighs around 10 to 14 pounds and contains 28 to 35 medium-sized apples. 

Farms typically sell apples in pecks, with 4 pecks equivalent to a bushel. 

What is a bushel of apples? 

A bushel of apples is the largest measurement unit used by farms and farmers’ markets when selling apples to the public. A bushel of apples is equivalent to 4 pecks of apples. One bushel of apples will contain 112 to 136 medium-sized apples weighing 42 to 48 pounds.  

Do supermarket apples weigh more than a bushel of apples?

So now we know how much a bushel of apple weighs; how does this compare to regular store/supermarket-bought apples?

Unsurprisingly, a peck and a bushel of apples will contain significantly more than regular store-bought packaged apples. 

Most prepackaged apples will typically contain 5 to 6 apples per pack. 

Even the jumbo-sized bags of apples you find will only contain 25 to 30 apples.  

This is significantly less than the 112 to 136 small to medium-sized apples that a peck of apple will typically contain. 

To help, I’ve pulled together a comparison table comparing the number of apples in 5 supermarkets in comparison with the number of apples in a bushel of apples: 

How many apples is a bushel? 

A bushel typically contains 112 to 136 medium-sized apples, 136 to 150 small-sized apples, or 90 to 110 large-sized apples. The exact amount of apples a bushel will contain depends on the exact sub-species of apples. 

How many pounds are in half a bushel of apples?

Half a bushel of apples weighs 20 to 27 pounds or 9 to 12 kilos. A half bushel of apples typically contains 50 to 60 medium-sized apples. A half bushel is equivalent to two pecks of apples. 

How much are 2 bushels of apples? 

Two bushels of apples will weigh 80 to 110 pounds or 36 to 49 kilos. 2 bushels of apples are equivalent to eight pecks of apples. Two bushels of apples, on average, will contain 180 to 220 apples. 

Is a peck half a bushel?

A peck of apples is not half a bushel. One peck of apples is instead a quarter of a bushel. Pecks of apples are typically sold in units of pecks, half bushels, and bushels. 

Why is it called a bushel of apples?

“Bushel” originally referred to a specific volume or quantity of a dry, granular substance, such as grain, fruit, or vegetables. The exact size of a bushel has varied over time and depending on the type of commodity being measured, but in the United States, a bushel is currently defined as 32 quarts or 8 gallons.

“bushel” comes from the Old French word “boissel,” which means a grain container or measure. The word was later adopted into Middle English as “bussel” and eventually became “bushel” in modern English.

As for why it’s called a “bushel of apples,” it’s likely because apples were one of the most common commodities sold by volume in bushels in the past, along with other fruits and vegetables.  

So, a “bushel of apples” refers to a specific quantity measured by volume.

How much does a bushel of apples cost? 

A bushel of apples from most orchids, farmers’ markets, or independent retailers will typically cost between $20 to $60 (£16 to £48). The price variation depends entirely on the sub-species of apples, with more premium organic species costing more. 

Super bespoke apple species grown in the best conditions will fetch a premium, with some orchids charging $100 for a bushel of good quality apples. 

Do different apples mean different bushels? 

So while the measurements given throughout this post are incredibly accurate, in reality, Apples, depending on their species, come in a massive variety of shapes and sizes.

Baldwins and cameo apples, for example, will grow significantly more extensively than a royal gala apple.  

Throw in the individual variation in size amongst the same species; it can take time to say exactly how many apples will be included in a bushel. 

It’s one of the reasons why orchids often use weight measurements instead of actual apple numbers. 

The table below then will hopefully give a good indication of how many apples are in a bushel by species: 

How long will a bushel of apples stay fresh? 

A bushel of apples will stay fresh for six weeks if kept in a crisper drawer in a larger refrigerator. Left outside at room temperature, a bushel of apples will start to deteriorate in a week. 

The freshness of a bushel of apples can depend on several factors, such as the variety of apples, how ripe they are when harvested, and how they are stored.

Generally speaking, apples can stay fresh for several weeks if stored properly. Storing them in a cool, dry place with good ventilation, such as a pantry or cellar, is recommended for optimal freshness. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or a humid environment, as this can cause them to spoil more quickly.

Additionally, inspecting the apples periodically for any signs of spoilage, such as mold or soft spots, is a good idea. If you notice any signs of spoilage, remove those apples immediately to prevent the spread of spoilage to the rest of the bushel.

In summary, a bushel of apples can stay fresh for several weeks if stored properly in a cool, dry place with good ventilation and if you periodically inspect them for any signs of spoilage.

How many bushels of apples will you need? 

So as mentioned throughout this post, a bushel of apples is, well, a lot, so deciding how many bushels you will need will be very individualistic. 

For example, if you run a business that makes apple pies or other apple-related products, you will often need to run out and grab a bushel of apples almost daily. 

Alternatively, if you only need a few apples for your weekly shop, you might be better off going to your local supermarket. 

To help make things easier, I’ve compiled a table below going into ten items you can cook with a peck of apples. 

This should hopefully shed some light on your individual needs: 

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