Honeybear Brands shares details on Chilean apple, pear imports

Honeybear Brands says it is delivering a fresh-picked crop of apples and pears to retailers nationwide beginning in March thanks to its Chilean operations.

“Incorporating imports in the fresh fruit mix is a smart long-term strategy as many domestic apples begin losing flavor and that crisp eating experience after months in storage,” Don Roper, vice president sales and marketing of Honeybear Brands, said in a news release.

Honeybear Brands said its Chilean Honeycrisp apple crop will be harvested in early March and will begin to arrive by April into its East Coast facilities. In addition to Honeycrisp, organic and conventional gala, Pink Lady, granny smith, fuji, Pazazz apples and pears will be available, the release said. 

“Quality trumps quantity. We recognize that it is important to keep strong apple sell through at retail and one of the most impactful ways is to make sure the consumer is purchasing the freshest fruit available," Roper said. "With so many summer fruit options, it is critical that consumers have a great eating experience in order to keep apple demand strong all summer long. We are having a superb growing season in Chile this year. With near perfect weather in Southern Chile, Honeycrisp fruit sizing and quality this year should be terrific.”

Honeybear Brands said it provides a turnkey apple and pear program for retailers all year round with its array of orchards in Washington and the Midwest plus its import production in South America.