Sonoma, Calif. – Field Supervisors continue to anticipate normal volume, but an early start for the Wonderful variety pomegranate. This popular variety accounts for more than 80% of the pomegranates shipped from California.
Orchards from Fresno South are still running a week early, with an anticipated start harvest date in the last week of September. Jeff Simonian from Simonian Fruit Company said that “the early varieties have moved smoothly into the distribution channels and the decks are now cleared for the Wonderful variety. Retailers are finding strong demand for the early varieties, but there are still some retailers who hold heavy promotion until the Wonderful’s arrive.”
Tom Rouse from PomWonderful, the largest pomegranate grower in the world, said that they are an exclusive Wonderful shipper. “We like the larger size, high color and superior sugar found in this variety. We’ll start shipping the first week of October, with the harvest continuing until early November, if Mother Nature cooperates. We anticipate peaking on 22/30, but will be able to supply promotable quantities of all sizes.” He added that “an increasing percentage of their shipments are going out in the very popular self shipper. The stand-alone unit provides incremental profit in previously unused floor space in the produce section, or near the check-out. Pomegranates are a high-impulse purchase item, so it’s important to put them in a high traffic location where shoppers can find them.”
“California is expected to harvest and ship more than six million fresh market boxes of pomegranates this season”, said Tom Tjerandsen, Manager of the Sonoma based Pomegranate Council. He added that approximately 40% of California’s pomegranates are exported, principally to Canada, Korea and Taiwan. Russia had been a rapidly growing market, but with the continuing help of the MAP program other developing export markets will replace that volume.”
The foodservice industry continues to find new ways to use pomegranates. The new easy-to-use tray packed or cup arils can be used to add color to salads, mixed drinks and all plate presentations. Patrons appreciate the addition of this exceptionally high nutrition component.
Many new products are being launched with a pomegranate component. They range from nutritional supplements and juices, to skin care products. Continuing consumes and general efficacy testing will result in many more products that will take advantage of the rapidly growing popularity of pomegranates.
Source: McClure & Tjerandsen
