Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers says retailers can use promotions on SweeTango apples to help offset a smaller Honeycrisp crop this season and still drive sales on premium apples.
SweeTango is a managed variety that Stemilt offers both organically and conventionally grown.
Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt, said retailers can rely on Stemilt and other SweeTango partners to support store promotions and keep displays fresh through the end of the year and into 2025.
“The Washington state share of Honeycrisp volume is down about 26%,” Shales said in a news release. “With this tightness, and last year being ample for promotions, retailers need to shift their promotion attention to offering consumers another premium apple in Honeycrisp’s place. In September, SweeTango was the No. 1 club apple in the department, and we’re currently selling around 120 pounds per store per week. Over one-third of stores in the U.S. are carrying it.”
Shales said SweeTango growers are seeing color, flavor and fracture thrive in its mature orchards in the northern district of Washington state.
“Some of the best quality of the year is coming out of storage now, and as retailers get into January, SweeTango will be an excellent choice for building up the category and promoting and delighting consumers with excellent apples,” Shales said. “SweeTango is one of the crispiest apples out there having made its way into the Guinness World Records for loudest crunch from an apple.”
Shales said SweeTango also offers retailers a niche item in the apple category until larger volumes of Cosmic Crisp apples become available. Stemilt will offer retailers SweeTango displays, packaging and merchandising.
“When you’re thinking about options for SweeTango promotions, a 27-pound or 40-pound box works great because you’ll be turning boxes over and keeping your displays fresh simultaneously,” Shales said. “We’re here to provide retailers with all the tools they need from 2 pound bags to totes and four-pack EZ Bands. With these items, there is a great opportunity to increase SweeTango promotions and drive Honeycrisp shoppers to another apple option that eats great”
