Pacific Trellis Fruit expands its premium stone fruit lineup

Los Angeles-based Pacific Trellis Fruit will be adding Donut Peaches and Extra Sweet Nectarines this coming year to its successful inaugural offering of imported specialty plum varieties.

The additions will create a full line of premium stone fruit available from the marketer during the Southern Hemisphere season, according to a news release.

The company says it is gearing up for the new high-flavor arrivals from Chile with Donut Peaches available in mid-December and nectarines beginning in January. All six items will now be available in both 2-pound or 1-pound clamshells, offering consumers quality, convenience and safety, according to the release. The high-graphic labels will "pop on display and will be sure to create some eye-catching attention," the release said.

“Our imported specialty stone fruit offerings are shaking up the category,” Dan Carapella Jr., vice president of sales for fresh fruit, said in the release. “Last year, we collected data from case studies showing the enormous success retailers had with the program. These wildly sweet and juicy plums, along with flavorful nectarines and donut peaches, are available through April.”

The company highlights four specialty and premium plum SKUs: Lemon Plums, Extra Sweet, Watermelon and Sugar Plums.

Lemon Plums, grown in Chile and South Africa, are yellow-skinned and turn bright red when ripe, the release said. Extra Sweet Plums, grown in Chile and South Africa, vary in appearance from bright red to dark red, to red/yellowish skin, as well as black.

Watermelon Plums, grown in South Africa, have green skin with red flesh, similar in appearance to a watermelon. Sugar Plums, grown in Chile and South Africa, have red to purple skin with golden-yellow flesh.

In addition, Donut Peaches have a tender, juicy and sweet white flesh, while the Extra Sweet Nectarines display both white and yellow flesh fruit with a combination of sweet and tangy taste, according to the release.

“We are excited to offer the specialty stone fruit program to customers,” Carapella said. “The varieties offer a unique merchandising opportunity, capturing strong sales opportunities for the winter stone fruit category.”

Pacific Trellis Fruit will be highlighting its new specialty stone fruit at the upcoming International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, Calif., at booth No. 3191.