The company also expects to double its organic pome fruit crop in many varieties.

With the 2017 pome fruit season just around the corner, Washington State-based Domex Superfresh Growers has announced it is expecting fruit to be one size smaller than last year. 

In a release, the company said the smaller fruit was a result of cool temperatures during the spring bloom which slowed cell division.

The group expects this will allow for both bulk and bagged promotional opportunities.

"Fruit will be down a size, but very clean,” said director of marketing Mike Preacher.

"This presents a great opportunity to promote bags, which contributed 12% growth in pear category dollars last year, despite an overall decline in the pear category.

"IRI Fresh Look data also shows us that apple bags drove 83% of apples sales dollar growth last year."

As bag sales continue to motivate the pear and apple categories, Domex Superfresh Growers is expanding its organic and conventional pouch bag line up.

The company's pouch bags are self-merchandising, and therefore easy for retailers to use. Standing upright, they call attention to themselves with useful product information and attractive graphics.

“The bags came into market earlier to this year, and we have received excellent feedback," communications manager Catherine Gipe-Stewart said.

"At [the] Organic Produce Summit in July, the retailer feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Organic pouch bags ensure the correct ring each time, and are filling a retailer need to ensure organic growth is registered at purchasing level."

She added consumers were also showing their appreciation for convenient on-the-go packaging.

"Busy moms often write and call in, naming how small sized fruit in pouch bags is ideal for after school snacks and Saturday soccer breaks," she added.

Domex boosting its organic presence

In the release, the company emphasized it was aggressively growing organic acreage to compete in a flourishing market.

"We are continually hearing from our retail partners that they are excited for organic growth. At Organic Produce Summit, one of the main takeaways was that organic consumer demand is high, and farmers need to expand to keep up," Preacher said.

"We are consistently growing our organic acreage, and feel aligned to meet future organic demands."

He went on to say organics would be the main focus in the coming crop year.

"We are expecting large growth in both organic pears and apples, doubling the volume of many organic varieties including Bartlett, Red Bartlett, Bosc, Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and of course, our signature Autumn Glory® apple," he said.

"To grow with consumer demand, we are investing in higher color, high yield varieties, as well as transitioning many of our older orchards into high density organic orchards."

Harvesting of Autumn Glory will begin in late October, and the fruit will be available conventionally November through April, and organically November through February.

"Last year marked a transition year for Autumn Glory," Preacher said.

"We watched Autumn Glory demand grow dramatically, selling out two months earlier than planned."

This year volume of the variety is set to double to 200,000 boxes, with sales both nationwide and internationally.

www.freshfruitportal.com