For the second year, we’re publishing our annual ranking of sales by variety for cherries, apples and pears (check out the 2024 ranking for comparison: https://firmanpollen.com/2024/12/30/firman-pollen-2024-bestsellers-list/). It’s information we use in analyzing and planning our business. We hope it can be useful data for you, too, as you think about optimizing investment in fruit set across your operation and varieties.

Cherries

For 2025, we split Northwest and California cherry rankings to paint a clearer picture of how pollen is being used in two very different growing regions. In California, the top three varieties account for about 85% of all pollen applications. In the Northwest, number 1-3 are about 50% and the top 10 varieties make up about 85% of applications. In the long tail beyond the Northwest top 10 another 15 varieties have significant sales. In both areas, growers are naturally prioritizing varieties that are hard to set and have higher potential market value.

Northwest

Top 3 = 50%

  • 1
    Chelan
  • 2
    Rainier
  • 3
    Coral Champagne
  • 4
    Early Robin
  • 5
    Bing
  • 6
    Skeena
  • 7
    Regina
  • 8
    Cristalina
  • 9
    Benton
  • 10
    Orondo Ruby

California

Top 3 = 85%

  • 1
    Coral Champagne
  • 2
    Bing
  • 3
    Chelan
  • 4
    Brooks
  • 5
    Tulare
  • 6
    Rainier
  • 7
    Early & Late Garnett
  • 8
    Cheery Cupid
  • 9
    Skeena

Apples

Growers’ rapid adoption of Cosmic Crisp has spiked demand for compatible supplemental pollen, too. It’s proven an effective tool to help address Cosmic fruit set and self-thinning issues that have challenged growers. Market potential relative to many other varieties has continuied to make the investment attractive. In 2025, pollen for Cosmic Crisp made up just over 50% of total pollen sales. Pink Lady was No. 2 on the list for the second straight year, while Minnieska sales grew and climbed from sixth to third in the rankings.

Cosmic Crisp = +50%, Top 6 = 85%

  • 1
    Cosmic Crisp
  • 2
    Cripps Pink/Pink Lady
  • 3

    Minnieska/SweeTango

  • 4
    Honeycrisp
  • 5
    Gala
  • 6
    Granny Smith
  • 7
    Red Delicious
  • 8
    Ambrosia
  • 9
    Envy
  • 10
    (Tie) Fuji, Sugar Bee

Pears

Pear pollen sales rankings remained stable last spring. The big three of D’Anjou, Bartlett and Bosc made up over 90% of sales in 2025. Happi pears climbed to fourth place from fifth last year as more acres are coming into production and pollination needs become better understood.

Top 3 >90%

  • 1
    D’Anjou
  • 2
    Bartlett
  • 3
    Bosc
  • 4
    Happi
  • 5
    Warren
  • 6
    StarKrimson