Giumarra Wenatchee is trialling two new apple varieties Lemonade and Smitten as part of its programme to supply a full line of New Zealand apples to North American customers this spring and summer.
The company said it is in the early stages of its 2012 New Zealand apple import season and will be working with growers Yummy Fruit, Mr Apple and Energie to offer customers high volumes of Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, New Zealand Rose, Pink Lady and Royal Gala apples.
Giumarra Wenatchee said in a press release that Lemonade is a crisp yellow apple with a slightly tart, effervescent flavour.
“It’s grown by Yummy Fruit and will be available in limited test volumes for the 2012 season, with plans to further increase volume in coming years,” the group indicated.
Smitten, meanwhile, is a high-brix breed of Gala, Braeburn, Falstaff, and Fiesta varieties.
According to the group, Smitten is a sweet, juicy apple with a pleasantly firm texture and will also be available for the 2012 import season in limited test volumes.
“We see customer interest in the new club varieties,” said Jason Bushong, sales manager for Giumarra Wenatchee.
“Consumers will continue to purchase traditional varieties, but retailers can help boost the apple category by also offering special varieties with sampling and targeted merchandising.”
“The New Zealand crop offers a good supply of fresh, quality apples to the North American market to complement the domestic season,” added Bushong.
Giumarra Wenatchee also offers US and Chilean apples to its North American customers, as well as domestic and imported pears, kiwifruit and citrus.
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