Ambrosia™ and KIKU® brand apples continue to be bright spots in the apple category according to the latest retail scan data available from Nielsen Perishables Group. Data released this week shows that for the four weeks ending May 23, 2015 total U.S. sales of Ambrosia™ had the strongest growth rate (+157%) among the top 10 apple varieties. Ambrosia was one of only two apples—the other being Honeycrisp—in the top 10 to show an increase in dollar volume performance.
The larger Ambrosia™ crop has provided savvy retailers with an opportunity to continue to sell this great apple longer into the season, says Steve Lutz, Vice President of Marketing at CMI. “The story is, consumers continue to seek out and buy Ambrosia™ as long as retailers carry it,” said Lutz. “When you look at the entire apple category and see that only two apples in the top 10 are showing sales increases, it really shows the emerging following Ambrosia™ has with consumers. This is exactly the type of growth we saw with Honeycrisp a few years back.”
The May scan data also revealed a 2nd consecutive record sales month for KIKU® brand apples. Boosted by imports from New Zealand, KIKU® jumped into the top 15 powered by a 305% increase in sales, with volume increasing by 420%.
“Imported KIKU® are clearly generating fresh sales for the apple category,” said Robb Myers, Director of Sales at CMI. “Of the top 15 apples nationally, KIKU®’s performance increase was far and away the strongest in the category,” said Myers. He added, “This is great news because it shows how branded apples like KIKU® can generate incremental sales for retailers even during the heart of the summer fruit season.”
Myers added that supplies of New Zealand KIKU® will be available through the summer months into August. “We anticipated that the strong sales success of KIKU® would continue, and we’ve been regularly receiving fresh imports to supply our customers in the U.S. market.”
Total apple category volume moved up slightly by 2.3% during the month of May. However, declining retail prices offset the volume increase leading to an overall decline in apple category dollars of 6%.
Source: Nielsen Perishables Group
Most recent four weeks through 5/23/2015 vs. year ago.
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About CMI
Columbia Marketing International (CMI) is one of Washington State’s largest growers, shippers and packers of premium quality pears, apples, cherries and organics. Based in Wenatchee, WA, CMI delivers outstanding fruit across the U.S.A. and exports to over 60 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.cmiapples.com
Ambrosia™ Brand Apple Video Learn more about Ambrosia™ – Click Here
KIKU® Brand Apple Video Learn more about KIKU® – Click Here
Source: Columbia Marketing International (CMI)
