The packer, grower and distributor of pears, apples and stone fruit says promotions and geo-targeting sales of fuji apples are keys to success this spring and summer.
It was about 17 years ago that an Australian company, Drape Net, was formed by a third-generation orchardist to provide a solution to help growers protect their apple trees from hail damage.
Retailers and apple growers increasingly are turning to branded apples — also known as managed or club varieties — to offer consumers what they consider to be a superior eating experience.
Multigenerational Maine-based Ricker Hill Orchards is adding Hazel 100 shelf-life extension packets to its apples postharvest to reduce complexity and improve operations.
The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has found the Timberville, Va.-based Mt. Clifton Fruit Company LLC violated multiple requirements of the H-2A agricultural worker program.
Growers of Rave apples are readying for the upcoming season and encouraging retailers to do the same to take advantage of the apple’s flavors and campaign to aid students heading back to class.
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.
Get ready for “The Big Flavor": New York Apple Association has new recipes and a new promotion strategy for the fast-approaching fall 2023 marketing season. Some apples are ready as early as August.
Industry organizations are praising a June 22 announcement from U.S. trade officials that India will soon lift its 20% retaliatory tariff on some U.S. agricultural products.
The 2023 Michigan apple crop is coming on, and the Michigan Apple Committee will be ready with a range of promotions, says Diane Smith, executive director.
The latest apple category statistics report from Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards shows Envy apple sales are setting a torrid pace among high-flavor varieties.
The automated facility, with 1.7 hectares of roof space, is expected to pack more than 125 million kilograms of apples per season — twice the volume of apples currently packed — once construction is complete.
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 Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 survey, indicated that 58% of consumers purchased fresh apples in the past year, compared with 55% in Fresh Trends 2022.
Twenty percent of the fruit marketed by Domex Superfresh Growers is organic, and that percentage is on the way to 25%, says Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing for the Yakima, Wash.-based marketer.
Excellent growing conditions are on tap for Northwest fruit, and that means organic fruit volume will increase later this year for Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co., says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.
Shorter tree fruit crops in the Northwest have been challenging in the 2022-23 season, but the new crop season begins with cherries in just a few 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.
Shoppers are willing to try new varieties if given the proper incentive. That can include providing a better understanding about flavor profiles so they can make informed decisions, says Danelle Huber of CMI Orchards.
The new variety is typically sold from January through June; however, this year’s supply is projected to sell out early due to a rapid rise in popularity.
While the overall Washington state crop is down from last year, Rainier Fruit Co. says its diversity in growing locations mitigated some of the weather events from last spring.
Early season poppi and royal gala apples are kicking off the New Zealand apple harvest season, with growers reporting high quality fruit despite recent cyclone.
Despite a smaller than typical U.S. apple crop, there are still promotion opportunities for the rising star Cosmic Crisp apple, says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing at Sage Fruit Co., Yakima, Wash.
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.
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.”
Proprietary Variety Management, Yakima, Wash., has reached an agreement with Fresh Forward to become the exclusive U.S. propagation and commercialization manager for the apple branded as Magic Star.
Customized growing strategies along with investment in new storage technologies have helped United Apple Sales to extend the season and enhance fruit quality, said Brett Baker, an owner of the company.
Washington-based Superfresh Growers has reported a strong second season for the up-and-coming apple variety, bred from Honeycrisp and Fiji for its sweetness and ability to hold freshness.
Washington state-based CMI Orchards and New Columbia Fruit Packers will transition current CEO Mike Wade to chairman as Reasor moves into the leadership role.
A review of Nielsen sales data released by Proprietary Variety Management shows Cosmic Crisp sales vaulting the variety into the top 10 bestselling U.S. varieties for the first time.