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September and October are Ontario apple season. New-crop McIntosh, Gala, Paula Red and Ginger Gold fill the flyers, and prices drop. But apples are sold loose by the pound, in 3, 4, 5 and 6 lb bags, and as "each" at some stores, so it is hard to tell which deal is best.
The short answer: in Ontario flyers from August to mid-September 2026, loose Gala and McIntosh apples were advertised for as little as 99 cents a pound. Bagged apples ranged from about 81 cents a pound (a 3 lb bag at $2.44) to $1.80 a pound (a 5 lb bag at $9.00). Organic 3 lb bags were $2.66 to $3.00 a pound.
What we looked at
We reviewed fresh apple listings in the Ontario flyer data FlyerHawk tracks from August 1 to mid-September 2026. We left out apple sauce, juice, cider, chips and baked goods.
Loose apples: the per-pound prices
The biggest drop came when the Ontario crop arrived in September:
- 99 cents/lb: Gala at FreshCo (weeks of September 3 and 17; listed as $2.18/kg), large McIntosh, Paula Red or Ginger Gold at Metro (week of September 10)
- $1.49/lb: Ontario McIntosh at FreshCo (week of September 10) and Ontario Gala or McIntosh (week of September 17)
- $1.99/lb: Gala at Sobeys (week of September 17), Bliss apples at Sobeys (week of September 10)
- $2.28 to $2.68/lb: Fuji apples at Walmart, Zehrs and Your Independent Grocer in late August and September
In August, before the new crop, loose apples were mostly $1.97 to $2.48 a pound. So the fall drop was roughly half.
Bagged apples: price per pound
Bags are handy, but you need to divide to compare:
| Bag | Flyer price | Per pound |
|---|---|---|
| 3 lb McIntosh, Giant Tiger (week of Sept 16) | $2.44 | $0.81 |
| 4 lb Gravenstein or Paula Red, No Frills (week of Sept 17) | $3.99 | $1.00 |
| 6 lb no name Naturally Imperfect, Superstore (week of Sept 3) | $6.00 | $1.00 |
| 4 lb McIntosh or Gala, No Frills (week of Sept 10) | $4.99 | $1.25 |
| 5 lb McIntosh or Royal Gala, No Frills (week of Sept 17) | $6.99 | $1.40 |
| 4 lb McIntosh or Gala, Your Independent Grocer (week of Sept 10) | $7.00 | $1.75 |
| 5 lb Gala or McIntosh, Loblaws (week of Sept 10) | $9.00 | $1.80 |
| 3 lb organic, Loblaws and Fortinos (week of Sept 17) | $8.99 | $3.00 |
The same variety could cost 81 cents or $1.80 a pound depending on the store and the bag. In the same week of September 10, a 4 lb bag was $4.99 at No Frills and $7.00 at Your Independent Grocer.
Watch the "each" prices
Some flyers show apple prices as "each" even when the price is really per pound, and some bagged apples are sold per bag with no weight in the headline. If a flyer says "Gala apples $0.99" with no unit, check the small print or the shelf tag in store. The price per kilogram is often printed in small type; divide it by 2.2 to get the price per pound.
Loose or bagged: which is better?
- Loose is better when the per-pound price is low and you only want a few apples, or when you want to pick each apple yourself.
- Bagged is better for lunches and snacking when the per-pound price is at or below the loose price. Bags with "Naturally Imperfect" or similar labels have cosmetic flaws but are usually fine for eating, baking and apple sauce.
For baking pies and crisps, a bag of cooking apples at $1.00 a pound is hard to beat.
Which apples to buy for what
- McIntosh: soft and tart, good for apple sauce and eating fresh; breaks down in pies.
- Gala: sweet and crisp, good for lunches.
- Paula Red and Ginger Gold: early-season apples, best eaten soon after buying.
- Northern Spy and Honeycrisp: often recommended for pies because they hold their shape. We did not see flyer prices for these in the period we reviewed, so compare the per-pound price in store.
Storing apples so the deal lasts
- Keep apples cold. The crisper drawer in the fridge keeps them crisp much longer than a fruit bowl.
- Store them apart from other produce where you can, because apples give off a gas that can speed up ripening in nearby fruit and vegetables.
- Remove bruised apples and use them first for baking or sauce.
- Make apple sauce or freeze sliced apples if you bought more than you can eat.
A simple rule for apples this fall
- Under $1.00 a pound (loose or bagged): buy for the week, and extra for baking.
- $1.00 to $1.50 a pound: a fair fall price.
- Over $2.00 a pound: wait, unless it is a variety you cannot get elsewhere.
Let FlyerHawk do the dividing
Comparing 3, 4, 5 and 6 lb bags across stores every week is a lot of math. FlyerHawk tracks produce and staples across the stores near you and tells you when a price is truly low compared with normal. Start your 14-day free trial and add apples to your list for the season.
FAQ
What is a good price for apples in Ontario in the fall?
In Ontario flyers in September 2026, 99 cents a pound for loose Gala or McIntosh was the low end. Bagged apples at $1.00 a pound or less were good value.
Are bagged apples cheaper than loose apples?
Not always. In September 2026, bagged apples ranged from 81 cents to $1.80 a pound. Divide the bag price by the weight to compare with the loose price.
How do I convert a price per kilogram to a price per pound?
Divide the price per kilogram by 2.2. For example, $2.18/kg is about 99 cents a pound.
How long do apples last?
It depends on the variety and how you store them. Apples keep much longer in the fridge than on the counter. Early-season varieties like Paula Red are best eaten soon.
