Pouch bags drive organic apple growth

Washington State will be set to have its largest organic apple crop ever this year. Approximately 11 million boxes are projected, up from eight million last year. “This is a good year and we were blessed with a great growing season,” said Mike Preacher of Domex Superfresh Growers. “We had good bloom and pollination early on (last spring) and we were lucky through the summer to have ample water in the state and moderate summer temperatures.” All of those factors combined to result in good color, good flavor, and good size on organic apples. 

Although crops are on alternate bearing cycles which affects yields from year to year, Preacher says the main difference is their continued investment in organic acreage and transitioning existing conventional acreage to organic. “This year the industry is about 50% shipped. Here at the end of January, 50% of our organic apples are all picked, packed and shipped. We’ll have plenty of supplies for retailers to promote in the winter and the spring. That’s great news,” he said. 

Organic apples are currently about 10 per cent of total apple sales (based on the IRI data Preacher follows). “In October sales were up 10 percent versus the prior year and in November they were up almost 15 percent. We’re seeing fantastic growth still.” Part of that trend includes popular pouch bags, something Domex Superfresh Growers is pushing for promotion. “We’ve been seeing increased sales on those and it’s helping drive the category.” Bulk apple numbers are up also, but much of the growth is driven by the pouch bags. 

Preacher says this season’s crops will offer organic crops more deeply than they normally would, which will allow them to take advantage of the uptick in organic fruit trending. “We see the consumer demand and we’re planning the orchards to meet it. Over the next few weeks we’re definitely encouraging retailers to promote organic apples.”

For more information:

Mike Preacher

Tel: 509-966-1814