As the premium apple market continues to grow, New York Apple Sales are strengthening their premium programs with international product.
“It’s the premium varieties that seem to attract the most consistent attention,” says Tim Byrne of New York Apple Sales. Byrne says that, like other suppliers, New York Apple Sales’ demand on traditional varieties like Red Delicious and Golden Delicious, are being replaced by newer, higher quality varieties.
“Certainly, Gala continues to grow and regional favorites like McIntosh remain popular,” notes Byrne. “Honeycrisp is an item we do increasingly more business on every year.”
Honeycrisp program now sourcing from Nova Scotia
With Honeycrisp’s increasing popularity, New York Apple Sales has added a new partner this year to help meet winter demand. As of October , the company has been appointed the exclusive marketing agent in the domestic USA for Scotian Gold Co-Operative out of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Byrne says that New York and Michigan growers “have essentially shipped all of their Honeycrisp crop.” This, combined with a shorter crop out of Washington, has created excellent market conditions. “It’s a very strong market for Honeycrisp.”
New York Apple Sales just received their first shipment of Scotian Gold’s apples last week, and expect to sell 100,000 cartons through March/April. At that time, the company will switch to sourcing its Honeycrisp apples from New Zealand growers.
New KORU® apple performs well
Honeycrisp won’t be the only New Zealand product handled by Byrne’s company come spring. In April, New York Apple Sales will receive its first shipments for the year of KORU® apples, also known as Plumacs. KORU® apples are a new variety, native to New Zealand, noted for their sweet aromatic taste and crisp texture.
New York Apple Sales is a Licensed marketing partner of the Coast to Coast Growers’ Co-Operative, an exclusive trio of suppliers selling the KORU® in US. Along with Borton Fruit Company and Oneonta Starr Ranch, New York Apple Sales introduced the KORU® to the US market earlier this year. Sales in 2015 totaled 40,000 cartons. “This year, we’re probably doubling that,” Byrne says, referring to the upcoming 2016 season.
Meanwhile, New York Apple Sales’ domestic growers are working to bring the KORU® to their own orchards. Says Byrne, “We should have initial domestic supply by October 2016.”
