Apples
Apples are a perennial favorite with consumers: 90% of all consumers buy apples, according to The Packer 2026 Fresh Trends Report. The ever-growing number of apple varieties creates marketing opportunities for Produce Retailers.
The COVID-19 crisis has supercharged apple packaging in multiple ways, marketers say.
With COVID-19 having forced consumers to stay indoors and sharpen their skills as online shoppers, apple marketers say they have adjusted, too.
Apple marketers view the Cosmic Crisp as a particularly bright star in a growing constellation of new apple varieties.
Not surprisingly, many marketers said the lack of in-person engagement has been the biggest drawback of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the chief initiatives at Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co. in 2020 pertained to sustainability, said Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.
Brewster, Wash.-based Honeybear Brands is building a new packing facility, said Don Roper, vice president of sales and marketing for Honeybear Brands, as well as Elgin, Minn.-based Wescott Orchard & Agri Products Inc.
Wenatchee, Wash.-based grower-shipper CMI Orchards LLC continues to test new brands and apple varieties to go with its existing products, said George Harter, vice president of marketing.
The Fishers-based New York Apple Association rolled out numerous marketing and promotional initiatives in 2020, said Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gardners, Pa.-based grower-shipper Rice Fruit Co. has sharpened its focus on sustainable packaging, said Brenda Briggs, vice president of sales and marketing.
The Oppenheimer Group is reporting growth in its Envy and Jazz apple programs, while Pacific Rose remains strong with exports and in certain domestic markets, said Roger Aguirre, director of apples and pears.
Citrus surged in interest during the last few days of December, taking six of the top 20 spots.
Applewood Fresh®, a premier produce brand and fourth-generation grower, packer/shipper and marketer of Michigan-grown apples is shipping EverCrisp® apples.
December was a very strong month for apples and pears, which were up 7% and 12% in dollar sales, respectively.
CMI Orchards, its growers, partners, and retailers are enjoying success built on accurate trend forecasts first identified years ago.
Regional, club varieties of apples have done well for Lyndonville, N.Y.-based United Apple Sales, with Washington state’s apple production down about 15% from the prior year.
Strawberries retained the No. 1 spot on PMG the week of Feb. 1, but apples rose from No. 8 the previous week to take the No. 2 slot.
The latest Nielsen dataset indicates that Cosmic Crisp® and Autumn Glory® apples are gaining serious momentum with consumers.
SweeTango apple growers across North America are advising their best retailers to stock up to meet continued strong demand from the variety’s passionate consumer fans.
February organic pear and apple sales verified that the pandemic year has been incredibly positive for both categories.
Chelan Fresh will feature organic Rockit, organic Cosmic Crisp and expanding supplies of organic SugarBee apples.
Yes! Apples, the woman-owned and New York-grown apple brand of New York Apple Sales, is one of more than 100 brands showcased at Pop Up Grocer – possibly one of the first traveling pop-up grocery stores.
While many U.S. regions were stalled by record-setting cold snaps, heavy snowstorms and freezing rains, the Northeast is emerging from a long winter with good conditions for a strong start to apple season.
Introducing fresh produce to young school children benefits growers, retailers, children and their families — and programs that do this work have struggled to continue this mission while schooling was remote-based.
The first week of July brought a lot of shuffling of the top 20 produce items on Produce Market Guide, with some summertime specialties joining the ranks of standard favorites.
Chicago-based Hazel Technologies, Inc., announces its July virtual Apple Quality Summit.
Washington apples specialty license plates had an impressive first year of sales with 747 purchased as of June 30th.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is purchasing 2.18 million pounds of apples from three suppliers for child nutrition and other food assistance programs this year.
As President-elect Joseph Biden is sworn in today as the 46th President of the United States, the U.S. Apple Association looks forward to working with the Biden Administration on our top advocacy priorities.
Okanagan Specialty Fruits, developer and grower behind the innovative Arctic apple, has released a video capturing the 2020 harvest.
Pummelos, oranges and strawberries maintained the top three spots on PMG the week of Jan. 11, but mandarins rose from No. 11 the previous week to No. 4, and cabbage, previously No. 12, moved up to the No. 5 spot.