Fruit costs range from 17 cents to $2.06 per cup equivalent

If your grandmother has told you, "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away," how much will it cost to follow her advice? ERS calculated average prices paid in 2008 for 59 fresh and processed fruits measured in cup equivalents. A cup equivalent is the edible portion that will generally fit in a 1-cup measuring cup; 1/2 cup for raisins and other dried fruits. The actual amount of fruits a person should eat per day depends on age, gender, and level of activity. For a 2,000-calorie diet, 2 cup equivalents of fruits per day is recommended. Fresh watermelon at 17 cents per cup equivalent and apple juice (made from concentrate) at 20 cents were the lowest priced fruits, while raspberries (fresh and frozen) and fresh blackberries were the priciest. Thirty-one fruits cost less than 60 cents per cup equivalent. And that apple, 28 cents per cup equivalent. The data in this chart are from ERS's Fruit and Vegetable Prices data product on the ERS website, updated February 2011.

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