Demand for imported KIKU® apples looks strong
U.S. Demand for the KIKU® apple continues to grow each year that it has been in production since 2008. CMI Vice President of Marketing, Bob Mast commented on the growing program, “It has been exciting to watch both our production of the KIKU® grow as well as the loyal following we are seeing from consumers. We contribute a great deal of our success to our retail partners who are sharing the KIKU® apple in demos at their stores and allowing people to see for themselves that this quite possibly may be the sweetest apple they have ever tasted.”
New packaging with the flavor profile for the KIKU® apple has supported the growing following and distribution for this apple. CMI released a new two pound grab and go pouch bag this last season that came with smaller snack size apples. This smaller 2 pound bag enables consumers to try the KIKU® without the sticker shock as the bags can be retailed at comparable prices for three pound bags of conventional fruit. With the success of this pouch for retailers, these two pound pouches will be available for the imported KIKU® program.
Though this is a limited production apple and is not available all year. CMI growers as well as many other growers around the World that are part of the KIKU global program are continuing to expand their orchards and yield will continue to increase each year. These expansion efforts, along with their partnership with New Zealand KIKU® growers allows retailers to extend their profits later into the season and consumers to be able to enjoy fresh KIKU® apples further into the year.
For more information:
Katharine Grove
Columbia Marketing International - CMI
Tel: +1 509 888 3427
Mob: +1 509 885 0444
www.cmiapples.com
