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.
Okanagan Specialty Fruits, the creators of genetically engineered nonbrowning Arctic apples, has recently unveiled a 110,000-square-foot processing facility in Moses Lake, Wash.
Washington-based grower-shipper Superfresh Growers has introduced its first apple and pear bags made from post-consumer recycled plastic.
New crop Ambrosia Gold apples from CMI Orchards are marked by high flavor, vibrant color and a superb eating experience, the company reports.
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association will host its 119th Annual Meeting and NW Hort Expo at the Three Rivers Convention Center and Toyota Center in Kennewick on Dec. 4-6.
Young professionals will participate in the association’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and will get firsthand experience with legislative and regulatory issues important to the apple industry.
In its latest bulletin, Stemilt said data shows sales only slightly increased in the last month of 2023.
Orchard Robotics hopes its artificial intelligence-driven camera system will help growers better understand what’s happening in their orchards and also better predict yields.
Los Angeles-based Giumarra was stressing the value of the Lemonade apple as a 52-week-per-year option for retailers at the Associated Wholesale Grocers’ seventh annual Innovation Showcase.
The research team on a national fire blight grant will host several webinars covering topics including antibiotic resistance, pathogen movement and plant defense.
Sage Fruit Co. had good news for retail attendees at the Associated Wholesale Grocers’ seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.
Drew Lerner, senior agricultural meteorologist and president of World Weather, will share his predictions for spring bloom and weather events that might affect production this growing season.
Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards says the program offers a dynamic in-store merchandising opportunity while allowing retailers to give back to military charities.
The U.S. Apple Association’s board of directors visited the White House on March 15 to meet with White House policy staff and discuss “critical issues impacting the apple industry.”
Fresh apple holdings on March 1 totaled 62 million bushel cartons, 7.3% less than the same time last year, according to a U.S. Apple Association survey.
Winter weather in northwestern New York state proved to be overall mild, which was followed with a cool spring that set up near ideal conditions for the start of the apple season, according United Apple Sales.
The USDA has forecast U.S. apple total production for 2023 at 9.91 billion pounds, up 1% from 2022.
The revamped website provides apple consumers with recipes, health information, varietal information and grower biographies.
Honeybear Brands continues to increase its mix of organic offerings to meet consumer demand, says Kristi Harris, brand manager for the Elgin, Minn.-based marketer.
Stemilt Growers will see significant increases in organic Cosmic Crisp, SweeTango, and Honeycrisp apples in the 2023-24 crop year, says Brianna Shales.
Got some organic Honeycrisp? That is the question that the market is asking suppliers, says Dan Davis, director of business development for Wenatchee, Wash.-based Starr Ranch Growers.
Organic gala and organic Honeycrisp provide both retailers and consumers with great options, says Kaci Komstadius, vice president of marketing for Sage Fruit Co., Yakima, Wash.
The growing season has been excellent for Washington apples, says Robb Myers, and that is just the start of the good news.
Stemilt Growers produces nearly 30% of its apples and about 15% of its pears organically, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer.
While the U.S. Apple Association reports some movement of fresh and processing apples, the overall number of apples in holding still remains high.
Despite weather challenges this season, growers “look hopeful for ’24,” said Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO of New York Apples. “We have a good mix of different apple varieties that are out there ...”
Additions to the Geneva rootstock line are semi-dwarfing, productive and even fire blight resistant.
With a large crop in apple-producing states, like Pennsylvania, marketers say there is a need to boost consumption. “That will take some time and some effort,” said Chris Sandwick of Hess Bros. Fruit., Lancaster, Pa.
Envy apples are transitioning to new-season fresh imports, primarily from New Zealand, over the coming weeks.
Elite Apple Co. increases Honeybear Brands’ current supply of Midwestern regional varieties, giving retailers locally grown Midwest apples in addition to Honeybear Brands’ Washington production and imported apples.
When Milton, N.Y.-based Hudson River Fruit Distributors kicks off its new season in August, it will mark the 60th year the company has been shipping apples to retailers and some foodservice establishments.