The US dried fruit market continues to grow. It is a $7 million industry and showed a growth number of 13.6 percent¹, just in the past year. “Increasingly, dried fruit is used as an ingredient in food items such as trail mix and chocolate bars or dipped in dark chocolate and Greek yogurt,” says Mila Savella with Stoneridge Orchards, a brand of Royal Ridge Fruits. “This development fuels demand for dried fruit and I certainly expect this growth to continue,” added Savella.
Vertically integrated
The company is vertically integrated and all the fruit is grown and manufactured in Central Washington. Stoneridge’s dried fruit varieties include tart cherries, blueberries and strawberries. Cherries are the main fruit variety, grown in more than 2,500 acres of cherry orchards in Central Washington. Due to high demand, strawberries are partly sourced from growers in the area. Non-GMO and organic
Stoneridge’s products come in conventional as well as organically certified offerings. “We are seeing a trend in organic dried fruits going up as the consumer’s desire for health and wellness increases,” mentioned Savella. “However, health alone is not enough, it must be indulgent and convenient.” All Stoneridge’s dried fruit products are Non-GMO certified.
Product launch
Stoneridge Orchards continues to work on product development. The latest dried fruit introduction is peaches. “They are all natural, gluten free and delicious,” mentioned Savella. At the Fancy Food Show that was held in New York in June of this year, Stoneridge Orchards launched its Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries. ¹Source: IRI Worldwide, 52 Weeks Ending 10/4/15
For more information:
Mila Savella
Stoneridge Orchards
Tel: (+1) 855-300-3199