While the apple category is being impacted by inflation and supply issues, at least one proprietary apple variety is biting into a rather “glorious” stride.
Superfresh Growers’ Autumn Glory apple is up 38% in sales and 34% in volume, even with retail sales seeing a year-over-year 3% increase to $1.65 per pound, according to Nielsen data provided in a news release by the Yakima, Wash.-based company. The fifth-generation, family-owned grower-shipper holds exclusive rights to the Autumn Glory, an apple that encompasses some of those flavors many associate with the fall season in one crisp, appley bite — no pie-baking required.
“Autumn glory apple offers a unique eating experience, with cinnamon and caramel notes that transport the consumer to the nostalgia of fall,” Cat Gipe-Stewart, Superfresh communications manager, said in the release.
According to the Nielsen data, overall apple dollar sales are up 6%, but volume is down 2%, a disparity largely attributable to the reduced supply of North American apples not meeting the high demand from consumers for the popular fruit these days, the release said. Average apple retail prices are seeing a hike of 9%, to $1.83 per pound, Gipe-Stewart said.
“Inflation is definitely a huge part of the retail increases,” Gipe-Stewart said, noting that apples aren’t the only fruits to be impacted. “Pears are feeling similar inflationary issues: flat on volume, but up 12% in dollars.”
Still, the Autumn Glory is continuing on the multiple-year growth trajectory seen in December 2021, outpacing other emerging and mature varieties, according to the release.
It’s also a big hit with consumers. Superfresh Growers reported consumer feedback that ranged from one story of “stockpiling” the beloved fruit “almost to the point of hoarding,” to a near mouth-watering description of the apple’s “perfectly crunchy, sweet, hint of cinnamon and brown sugar” attributes.