Nearly 25% of Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers’ apple crop is grown and certified organic for the 2022 crop, says Brianna Shales, marketing director.
Stemilt grows all fruits (apples, pears, cherries and peaches/nectarines) organically under the label Artisan Organics, she said.
“We continue to shift towards modern varieties, with the biggest change being an increase in organic Cosmic Crisp apples,” Shales said. “This variety continues to grow in volume, and that will coincide with organic growth.” In addition, she said organic Cosmic Crisp will have a new packaging option called the EZ Band.
Stemilt also is a leader in organic SweeTango and Honeycrisp, she said, with organic Honeycrisp the marketer’s most popular item.
In addition to its Artisan Organics label, the company offers private label for organic fruit, she said.
Back-to-back shorter Washington apple crops have put organics in a demand-exceeds-supply scenario, Shales said.
Consumers are still attracted to organic fruit, despite recent increases in pricing.
“It’s all about flavor and consistently growing fruit that is fresh and great tasting,” Shales said. “This consistency is what will drive organics ahead.”
Stemilt and Apeel Technologies have partnered since 2020 to use Apeel proprietary coating on organic apples, according to a news release.
