Latest News From Apples

Another big Michigan apple crop on tap
Another big Michigan apple crop on tap

Michigan’s 2023 apple crop may not be as big as last year’s record, but it should be close.

Department of Labor says investigation recovers $45K in back wages from fruit company
Department of Labor says investigation recovers $45K in back wages from fruit company

The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has found the Timberville, Va.-based Mt. Clifton Fruit Company LLC violated multiple requirements of the H-2A agricultural worker program.

Rave apples revving up for back-to-school sales
Rave apples revving up for back-to-school sales

Growers of Rave apples are readying for the upcoming season and encouraging retailers to do the same to take advantage of the apple’s flavors and campaign to aid students heading back to class.

Family-owned apple shipper celebrates six decades in operation
Family-owned apple shipper celebrates six decades in operation

When Milton, N.Y.-based Hudson River Fruit Distributors kicks off its new season in August, it will mark the 60th year the company has been shipping apples to retailers and some foodservice establishments.

New York apples are going big this fall
New York apples are going big this fall

Get ready for “The Big Flavor": New York Apple Association has new recipes and a new promotion strategy for the fast-approaching fall 2023 marketing season. Some apples are ready as early as August.

Crunch Pak pairs with Minecraft and Cheez-It for new snack pack
Crunch Pak pairs with Minecraft and Cheez-It for new snack pack

Cashmere, Wash.-based Crunch Pak is collaborating with Minecraft and Kellogg’s to create a mini-meal snacking solution.

USTR announces repeal of India’s tariff on U.S. apples, walnuts
USTR announces repeal of India’s tariff on U.S. apples, walnuts

Industry organizations are praising a June 22 announcement from U.S. trade officials that India will soon lift its 20% retaliatory tariff on some U.S. agricultural products.

Michigan Apple Committee to launch new website for the 2023 crop year
Michigan Apple Committee to launch new website for the 2023 crop year

The Michigan Apple Committee will launch a new, re-designed website for the 2023 crop year, says Diane Smith, executive director.

Michigan Apple Committee promotion plans include online campaign, partnerships
Michigan Apple Committee promotion plans include online campaign, partnerships

The 2023 Michigan apple crop is coming on, and the Michigan Apple Committee will be ready with a range of promotions, says Diane Smith, executive director.

AgroFresh adds 3 post-harvest freshness products for apples
AgroFresh adds 3 post-harvest freshness products for apples

The solutions include a bio-fungicide and an apple coating, both approved for organic use, as well as a scald and carbon dioxide injury inhibitor.

Michigan apple shipments show big gains in the 2022-23 crop year
Michigan apple shipments show big gains in the 2022-23 crop year

Michigan apples experienced a slight dip in volume in the calendar year 2022, but the 2022-23 marketing year promises big gains, shipment data shows.

T&G launches premium apple variety
T&G launches premium apple variety

Joli apples, which global consumers will be able to enjoy from 2028 onwards, are the result of over 10 years of innovation, the company said.

Rice Fruit Co. celebrates 110 years
Rice Fruit Co. celebrates 110 years

Biglerville, Pa.-based Rice Fruit Co. is celebrating 110 years in 2023, but the history of the Rice family in the region goes back even further.

Envy apple's star continues to rise
Envy apple's star continues to rise

The latest apple category statistics report from Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards shows Envy apple sales are setting a torrid pace among high-flavor varieties.

T&G commissions automated New Zealand packhouse
T&G commissions automated New Zealand packhouse

The automated facility, with 1.7 hectares of roof space, is expected to pack more than 125 million kilograms of apples per season — twice the volume of apples currently packed — once construction is complete.

United Apple Sales: Northwestern New York growers looking to exceed last season’s volume
United Apple Sales: Northwestern New York growers looking to exceed last season’s volume

Winter weather in northwestern New York state proved to be overall mild, which was followed with a cool spring that set up near ideal conditions for the start of the apple season, according United Apple Sales.

New York Apple Association reports signs of early blossom
New York Apple Association reports signs of early blossom

With optimism abound in orchards, the association is also highlighting its school initiatives and plans to aid retailers.

BelleHarvest expands reach with acquisition of Valley View Co.
BelleHarvest expands reach with acquisition of Valley View Co.

The transaction increases BelleHarvest’s overall growing and storage capacity by 20%, according to the company.

CMI Orchards releases new American Dream category statistics ahead of cherry season
CMI Orchards releases new American Dream category statistics ahead of cherry season

Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards has unveiled its newest American Dream CatStats.

Fresh Trends: Apples remain a top pick for fruit shoppers
Fresh Trends: Apples remain a top pick for fruit shoppers

The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 survey, indicated that 58% of consumers purchased fresh apples in the past year, compared with 55% in Fresh Trends 2022.

Superfresh Growers sees the growing importance of organic fruit
Superfresh Growers sees the growing importance of organic fruit

Twenty percent of the fruit marketed by Domex Superfresh Growers is organic, and that percentage is on the way to 25%, says Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing for the Yakima, Wash.-based marketer.

Northwest organic tree fruit set to increase for Sage Fruit Co.
Northwest organic tree fruit set to increase for Sage Fruit Co.

Excellent growing conditions are on tap for Northwest fruit, and that means organic fruit volume will increase later this year for Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co., says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.

Stemilt anticipates increase in organic this year
Stemilt anticipates increase in organic this year

Stemilt Growers is increasing its organic apple volume, and it expects another one of its organic fruits to rebound after a short crop in 2022.

Starr Ranch Growers looks for a rebound in organic fruit volume
Starr Ranch Growers looks for a rebound in organic fruit volume

Shorter tree fruit crops in the Northwest have been challenging in the 2022-23 season, but the new crop season begins with cherries in just a few weeks.

Honeybear Brands expands Midwest apple footprint
Honeybear Brands expands Midwest apple footprint

Elite Apple Co. increases Honeybear Brands' current supply of Midwestern regional varieties, giving retailers locally grown Midwest apples in addition to Honeybear Brands' Washington production and imported apples.

How to entice shoppers to buy more organic
How to entice shoppers to buy more organic

Shoppers are willing to try new varieties if given the proper incentive. That can include providing a better understanding about flavor profiles so they can make informed decisions, says Danelle Huber of CMI Orchards.

WildTwist apple variety available through May from Hess Brothers
WildTwist apple variety available through May from Hess Brothers

The new variety is typically sold from January through June; however, this year’s supply is projected to sell out early due to a rapid rise in popularity.

Honeybear Brands provides value-oriented Sweet Deal
Honeybear Brands provides value-oriented Sweet Deal

The Elgin, Minn.-based company says the program supplies apples that are custom packed in sizes and specifications that best meet retailers' needs.

Rainier Fruit Co. touts year-round organic apple volume
Rainier Fruit Co. touts year-round organic apple volume

While the overall Washington state crop is down from last year, Rainier Fruit Co. says its diversity in growing locations mitigated some of the weather events from last spring.

Honeybear Brands ready to fill Honeycrisp gap with Chilean fruit
Honeybear Brands ready to fill Honeycrisp gap with Chilean fruit

Elgin, Minn.-based Honeybear Brands is bringing in Chilean Honeycrisp apples to help fill a shortfall in the U.S. supply of that variety.

The first New Zealand apples head for international markets
The first New Zealand apples head for international markets

Early season poppi and royal gala apples are kicking off the New Zealand apple harvest season, with growers reporting high quality fruit despite recent cyclone.

Sage Fruit sees retail interest in 5-pound bags of Cosmic Crisp apples
Sage Fruit sees retail interest in 5-pound bags of Cosmic Crisp apples

Despite a smaller than typical U.S. apple crop, there are still promotion opportunities for the rising star Cosmic Crisp apple, says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing at Sage Fruit Co., Yakima, Wash.

Day of appreciation honors employees at Stemilt
Day of appreciation honors employees at Stemilt

The second annual Stemilter’s Day had recognized the company's workers and celebrated its culture and stewardship efforts.

Giumarra highlights Lemonade variety
Giumarra highlights Lemonade variety

The Giumarra Cos. highlighted its proprietary Lemonade apple variety at the 2023 AWG Innovation Showcase in Overland Park, Kan.

March apple holdings down 7%
March apple holdings down 7%

Fresh apple holdings on March 1 totaled 62 million bushel cartons, 7.3% less than the same time last year, according to a U.S. Apple Association survey.

USApple Board at White House to discuss trade, ag labor
USApple Board at White House to discuss trade, ag labor

The U.S. Apple Association’s board of directors visited the White House on March 15 to meet with White House policy staff and discuss “critical issues impacting the apple industry.”

Top 7 pie heroes that make Pi Day worth celebrating
Top 7 pie heroes that make Pi Day worth celebrating

The USDA has named the top crops produced in the U.S. that make the math-inspired holiday much sweeter.

Proprietary Variety Management to bring new apple variety to U.S.
Proprietary Variety Management to bring new apple variety to U.S.

Proprietary Variety Management, Yakima, Wash., has reached an agreement with Fresh Forward to become the exclusive U.S. propagation and commercialization manager for the apple branded as Magic Star.

United Apple Sales uses technology to maximize season
United Apple Sales uses technology to maximize season

Customized growing strategies along with investment in new storage technologies have helped United Apple Sales to extend the season and enhance fruit quality, said Brett Baker, an owner of the company.

Second EverCrisp apple season off to a strong start, says grower
Second EverCrisp apple season off to a strong start, says grower

Washington-based Superfresh Growers has reported a strong second season for the up-and-coming apple variety, bred from Honeycrisp and Fiji for its sweetness and ability to hold freshness.

Brett Reasor named CEO of Columbia Fruit
Brett Reasor named CEO of Columbia Fruit

Washington state-based CMI Orchards and New Columbia Fruit Packers will transition current CEO Mike Wade to chairman as Reasor moves into the leadership role.

USApple taps Mitchell Liwanag to manage environmental affairs
USApple taps Mitchell Liwanag to manage environmental affairs

The Virginia-based association has promoted Liwanag to represent USApple on topics like pesticides, climate, water and energy.

Cosmic Crisp sales trending strong
Cosmic Crisp sales trending strong

A review of Nielsen sales data released by Proprietary Variety Management shows Cosmic Crisp sales vaulting the variety into the top 10 bestselling U.S. varieties for the first time.

Fresh apple holdings down 7%
Fresh apple holdings down 7%

U.S. fresh apple holdings on Feb. 1 totaled 71.9 million (42-pound) cartons, 7.3% less than the same time a year ago.

Apple variety bred specifically for hot climates unveiled at Fruit Logistica 2023
Apple variety bred specifically for hot climates unveiled at Fruit Logistica 2023

VentureFruit, a T&G Global company, has unveiled what it says is the world’s first specifically bred hot climate-tolerant apple variety.

Six leaders selected for 2023 NextGen Apple Fellowship program
Six leaders selected for 2023 NextGen Apple Fellowship program

The U.S. Apple Association fellowship program focuses on providing professional and leadership development, one-on-one mentoring, hands-on advocacy and community engagement in the apple industry.

CMI reports strong sales growth for Ambrosia Gold apples
CMI reports strong sales growth for Ambrosia Gold apples

The company says that Ambrosia sales increased nearly 300% from the previous year, which was the highest percent change of any apple in the top 10, citing Nielsen 13-week scan data ending Dec. 31, 2022.

Pure Flavor adds organic acreage
Pure Flavor adds organic acreage

The Leamington, Ontario-based company has increased its owned acreage with a 40-acre expansion that will bring organic tomatoes and cucumbers to market in early spring, increasing growing area at the facility to 115 acres.

Stemilt launches EZ Band package
Stemilt launches EZ Band package

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers LLC launched a new sustainable package called the EZ Band last fall, and it recently launched an organic Cosmic Crisp version, said Brianna Shales, marketing director.

Superfresh to offer organic Evercrisp apples, Mardi Gras pears
Superfresh to offer organic Evercrisp apples, Mardi Gras pears

Yakima, Wash.-based Superfresh Growers is entering its second year of growing and selling Evercrisp apples, said Catherine Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing.