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in Selah, WA. “Now, we have this with so many varieties that the goal is avor. A new apple needs to have a niche avor.”
e apple also must be eye-catching on store shelves, adds Chuck Sinks, president, sales and marketing for Sage Fruit Company in Yakima, WA. “A bright-colored piece of fruit tends to do that over a less-colorful apple.”
WHAT’S HOT, WHAT’S NOT
ere are a dozen varieties of Wash- ington apples on the shelf year-round, with 18 or more in the fall, according to Terry Esteve, produce director at Robért Fresh Market, a six-store chain based in New Orleans. “We carry all the standards like Galas, Fujis, Golds and Grannys, as well as the newer ones likes Honeycrisp, Pink Lady and Paci c Rose.”
Gala, at a projected 23 percent of the crop, will be the largest-volume apple variety, according to an early crop forecast by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, in Yakima, WA. Red Delicious is second (20%), Fuji third (13%), Granny Smith (12%) and Honeycrisp (12%). Organic apple production is estimated at 13% of the crop total.
Newer varieties of branded apples such as
the Koru, Jazz, Envy, SweeTango, Kiku and Paci c Rose, are also in a growth phase, say growers.
Older varieties becoming less prevalent include Jonagold, Braeburn and Cameo, according to Sage Fruit Company’s Sinks. “In addition to these varieties, while we’ll continue to grow Red Delicious and Golden Delicious, they are also becoming less popular among American consumers.”
WHAT’S HOT
ARCTIC. Bio-engineered to be non-browning by Summerland, BC-head- quartered Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc, these apples have a 28-day shelf life once sliced and are a boon to fresh-cut retail and foodservice sales. Okanagan’s current 1,235 acres of trees are all located in Washington State, with 2,000 acres anticipated by the end of 2020. e rst, Arctic Goldens, were commercially introduced into test markets in 2017 followed by Arctic Grannys. Arctic Goldens harvest in late September early October, and are crisp, juicy and sweet. Arctic Grannys, more tart in avor, harvest a few weeks later. Arctic Fujis are already planted, with Arctic Galas next. e company expects
to have 8.5 million pounds of Arctic apples for the 2019-2020 season, with annual increases to eventually provide year-round availability. Neal Carter, president, says, “We have an array of infographics, prepared social media posts, recipe cards and videos, and much more at the ready to assist interested retailers.”
Autumn Glory from Domex Superfresh Growers
AUTUMN GLORY. is Fuji-Golden Delicious cross grown and marketed in North America exclusively by Domex Superfresh Growers, is in its third season of commer- cial promotion, with 1 million case quantities anticipated in the next few years. Standout features, says Preacher, “are a very sweet, rm esh with hints of cinnamon and subtle notes of caramel. e golden background and blush foreground helps it stand out against other
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