How are most apples picked every year by hand or machine?

Most Apples are picked by hand, especially in smaller orchards and for high-quality fruit intended for fresh markets. However, in larger commercial operations, mechanical harvesters are increasingly used to improve efficiency and reduce labor costs. These machines can shake the trees to dislodge Apples, allowing for faster collection but may sometimes result in more bruising of the fruit. Ultimately, the choice between hand and machine picking depends on factors like the scale of the operation and the intended market for the Apples.