How Many Pounds Are In A Peck Of Apples (exact amount)

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So recently, I went to my local farmers market to grab some fresh, organic apples and feel good about myself by helping support my local community. When I got there, however, one of the things I struggled with was how farmers measured in pecks and bushels. Being the city boy, I am this confused me and got me asking, how many pounds are in a peck of apples? 

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.

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

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How many pounds are in a peck of apples

So once I purchased my peck of apples, I wanted to get to the bottom of what 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 possible on what a peck of apples is and how many pounds are in a peck of apples. 

To summarize: 

• One peck of apples typically weighs 10 to 14 pounds. 
• In kilos, one peck of apples weighs around 4.5 to 6.3 kilos. 
• A peck of apples will weigh around eight dry quarts. 
• One peck will contain about 28 to 35 medium-sized apples. 
• A peck is significantly more than the 5 to 6 apples that most supermarket or store-bought apples that come prepackaged contains. 
• Pecks of apples are also available in chip baskets with the same weight associated with them. 
• A peck of apples only weighs around a quarter of a bushel of apples. 
• A bushel of apples will weigh around 40 to 56 pounds or 18.1 to 25 kilos and contain anywhere from 112 to 140 small to medium-sized apples. 
• You can purchase both pecks and bushes of apples from farmers’ markets or directly from farms. Due to their large quantities, wholesalers buy them to sell to retail stores or supermarkets. 

How much does a peck of apples weigh? Weight Comparison

So now we know that generally, a peck of apples weighs around 10 to 14 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 peck 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 bushels, 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 bushel of apples weigh?

A bushel of apples weighs 40 to 56 pounds or 18 to 25 kilos. Bushel of apples will contain around 112 to 136 apples per bushel. A bushel of apples then will typically cost and weigh four times the amount as a peck of 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 peck of apples?

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

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

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

This is significantly less than the 30 to 35 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 peck of apples: 

How many apples is a peck? 

A peck typically contains 30 to 35 medium-sized apples, 35 to 40 small-sized apples, or 20 to 30 large-sized apples. The exact amount of apples a peck will contain depends on the exact sub-species of apples. 

How many pounds are in half a peck of apples?

Half a peck of apples weighs 5 to 6 pounds, 2 to 3 kilos, or 0.6 to 0.8 dry quarts. A half peck of apples typically only contains 15 to 16 medium-sized apples. 

How many pounds are in a bushel of apples? 

A bushel of apples will typically weigh 42 to 48 pounds. This is equivalent to 19 to 22 kilos. One bushel of apples is equivalent to 4 pecks of apples. A bushel will then contain around 112 to 136 apples. 

How much is 2 pecks of apples? 

Two pecks of apples will weigh 21 to 24 pounds or 9.5 to 10.8 kilos. 2 pecks of apples are equivalent to half a bushel of apples. Two pecks of apples, on average, will contain 56 to 68 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 peck of apples? 

We’ve done a lot of talking in the post about pecks of apples, but it is a weird way to describe a fruit unit. 

So why exactly are pecks of apples called pecks of apples? 

Britannia and Oxford say the term peck originates back to the 14 century. 

The term is used in the UK and USA as an imperial unit of measurement. 

In the 14th century then, this measurement originated for the measurement of dry food, mainly flour, and it wasn’t until the 19th century that it was used to measure fruits such as apples. 

How much does a peck of apples cost? 

A peck of apples from most orchids, farmers’ markets, or independent retailers will typically cost between $10 to $20 (£8 to £16). 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 pest conditions will fetch a premium, with some orchids charging $30 for a peck of good quality apples. 

In these scenarios, you can expect to pay $2 to $3 for a single pound of apples. 

Do different apples mean different pecks? 

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 prominent than a royal gala apple.  

Throw in the individual variation in size amongst the same species. It can be challenging to say exactly how many apples will be included in a peck of apples. 

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 peck by species: 

Why is it important to know how much a peck of apples is? 

Knowing how much a peck of apples is can be necessary for a few reasons:

1. Purchasing: If you’re looking to buy a certain quantity of apples, knowing how many apples are in a peck can help you determine how many pecks you need to purchase. This can be helpful when planning for events, making recipes that require a certain amount of apples, or simply when you want to stock up on apples for your household.
2. Selling: If you’re a farmer or orchard owner, knowing how many apples are in a peck can help you determine how many apples you can sell and at what price. It can also help you plan for harvesting and packing your apples.
3. Cooking: Knowing how many apples are in a peck can be helpful when following recipes that call for a certain number of apples. For example, if a recipe calls for a peck of apples, you’ll know exactly how many apples you need to purchase or harvest.

How long will a peck of apples stay fresh? 

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

The freshness of a peck 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.

For optimal freshness, it is recommended to store them in a cool, dry place with good ventilation, such as a pantry or cellar. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or in 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 peck.

In summary, a peck 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 pecks of apples will you need? 

So as mentioned throughout this post, a peck of apples is, well, a lot, so deciding how many pecks 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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