February was National Snack Month and Americans showed that apples and pears remain a favorite snack. Category data shows that both apples and pear were up in sales.

Core varieties held their own, maintaining positive growth, while proprietary varieties pulled the category down, with the exception of Autumn Glory®. Autumn Glory growth was up more than 400 percent, helping to build momentum. Organics continue to power apple sales, while pear sales continue to increase.

Autumn Glory apples rocked the apple category by replacing other varieties on the shelf. Autumn Glory rose by 327 percent in dollars, and 436 percent in volume, placing them as #15 in dollar sales. Gala (+2.9 percent), Honeycrisp (+2.6 percent), and Granny Smith (+1.8 percent) were the runners up. Other proprietary varieties were in double digit decline.

^{Autumn Glory apples.}

“The excitement around Autumn Glory growth is intoxicating. We have been fielding consumer call after call asking about Autumn Glory, and ‘where I find the “caramel and cinnamon” apples?’ One woman called me last week and said that her grocery store ran out of Autumn Glory. She watched another shopper take the last five bags, and she commented that she should have jumped on her and stolen one of for herself!” says Catherine Gipe-Stewart, Communications Manager.

As noted, Gala, Honeycrisp and Granny Smith all had positive growth in the month of February, helping to maintain category growth. Honeycrisp and Gala alone represented nearly half of the apple dollar sales in February. Gala pulled in the top volume, at 51.5 million pounds. Gala dollars were up to $70.2 million, and the average price was up 9.4 percent to $1.36/lb. Honeycrisp led apple dollars at $85.7 million, which was up 2.6 percent from last year. Honeycrisp volume was at 33.7 million pounds, up 7.2 percent. The average price was down -4.3 percent at $2.54.

^{Honeycrisp apples.}

Organic apple dollars were up 5.2 percent, and volume was up 7.6 percent. Gala and Honeycrisp were the main players here, representing more than half of organic apple dollars. Gala led at $13.1 million, and Honeycrisp followed at $9 million.

Conventional pears are on the rise, though organic pear sales took a turn in February. With conventional pears, Bartlett led at $14 million, growing by 23.7 percent. Anjou and Bosc followed. Organic pears dropped - 5.4 percent in dollars, and -7 percent in volume. Organic Anjou was the workhorse here, accounting for 67 percent of the category, up +6 percent growth. Other organic pear varieties, however, saw a large decrease, and pulled the category down.

Superfresh Growers® owns the Autumn Glory apple and holds the exclusive worldwide rights to grow and sell this unique apple variety. Autumn Glory apples have a very sweet, firm flesh with hints of cinnamon and subtle notes of caramel. The apple will be available this season from November through April, but as volumes increase, the apple will be available year-round.

This information is based on IRI Freshlook® data in regards to the last four weeks, ending February 24, 2019.

For more information: 
Catherine Gipe-Stewart
Domex Superfresh Growers
Tel: +1 (509) 966-1814 
cgipe@superfreshgrowers.com 
www.superfreshgrowers.com