Wenatchee, WA – Sales of popular Kanzi® brand apples from New Zealand and Chile are expected to peak over the next several weeks driving incremental dollars into the apple category for supermarkets. Kanzi® is already one of the strongest growth apples in the industry, jumping in sales by over 100% over the past year. Taste tests and demos have proven that the supremely juicy, intensely sweet and tangy flavor of Kanzi® is coveted by consumers.
Robb Myers, Vice President of Sales oversees the apple import program on behalf of CMI Orchards. According to Myers, over the last couple of years, retailers have really discovered how branded apples like Kanzi® energize the category during the summer months. “Sales have doubled so far this season with Kanzi® and we fully expect the strong sales of Kanzi® to continue through August with our Southern Hemisphere imports.”
Myers says that over the last couple of years many retailers have utilized Kanzi® during the summer months to create excitement within the category. “We know apples like Red Delicious, Gala, Honeycrisp and Pink Lady create a foundation for the category. But we’re seeing retailers drive transaction size and incremental dollars by invigorating consumer interest in the category at a time when apple sales normally decline,” he said.
“Summer is a great time for retailers that have never tried Kanzi® to jump in,” said Myers. “In summer, some consumers tend to abandon the category simply because many apple varieties disappear from shelves as the crops run out. Our customers’ sales results show that introducing import Kanzi® can provide a strong boost in sales.”
Myers cites Nielsen sales data showing that over the past 52 weeks through June 1, Kanzi® sales are up by 103% with more than 9,000 stores putting Kanzi® on supermarket shelves. Kanzi® was one of only two apples ranked in the top 20 for sales in U.S. supermarkets with a dollar gain exceeding 100%. Last year during July alone, nearly 1,500 supermarkets added Kanzi® to their category mix.
Myers says that the 2017 imported Kanzi® are among the best-eating apples from New Zealand and Chile that CMI has received since imports started five seasons ago. He added, “As with all newer varieties, the trees are young. As the trees mature they become less vigorous and vegetative giving us Kanzi® with incredible acid and sugar balance.”
“It’s important to remember that Kanzi® are one of the few next-generation apples specifically bred in Europe to produce the most intense-flavored apple available,” said Myers. “We’re seeing the same intense flavor with our import Kanzi this season and are really excited to get these apples in the hands of consumers.”
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About Kanzi® apples
Discover one of Europe’s favorite apples! Flavor intense Kanzi® apples are perfectly sweet and tangy. Pair with cheese or enjoy as a snack for a tasty bite.
Learn about where Kanzi® apples are grown
Kanzi® brand apples come from select growers in strategic regions across the United States and exclusively from CMI Orchards from their Southern Hemisphere partners. One of the owners of CMI Orchards (Columbia Fruit Packers) was granted the exclusive opportunity to develop the North American market for Kanzi® brand apples. CMI Orchards grows Kanzi® in Washington State and has formed an alliance with Applewood Orchards in Michigan to provide retailers with a regional program for Kanzi® brand apples grown in Michigan. CMI’s exclusive partnership with their Southern Hemisphere partners provides Kanzi® apples during the summer months.
About CMI Orchards
CMI Orchards is one of Washington State’s largest growers, shippers and packers of premium quality cherries, apples, pears and organics. Based out of Wenatchee, WA, CMI delivers outstanding fruit across the U.S.A. and exports to over 60 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.cmiorchards.com
Source: CMI Orchards
