Pomegranates

Commodity Overview

Capitalize on pomegranates short availability window to promote them heavily during that time. Shoppers familiar with pomegranates will be looking for them, and those who are unfamiliar may be drawn to a new flavor.

PLUs

4445 small
3127 large

Retail Price Data is based on USDA Specialty Crops Market News surveys. Data collection ends on the report date and encompasses ad pricing good from the Saturday before the report release date through the following Friday. Weekly data - from over 400 retailers, comprising more than 30,000 individual stores with online weekly advertised features - covers over 250 produce items. Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

USDA Specialty Crops Market News publishes FOB and Movement data on a daily and weekly basis. Pricing and volume information is aggregated by commodity and published weekly, subject to any source-data adjustments. Commodity data is further processed based on origin (domestic vs imports) and type (regular vs. organic). Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

Facts

Pomegranates have gained favor from the public for their health benefits. Pomegranates are high in vitamin C, which is a known antioxidant that helps to fight cancer. Pomegranate juice contains a high concentration of three types of polyphenols, which have been shown to help prevent cancer and heart disease. Pomegranate juice can help improve blood flow to the heart in people with certain types of heart disease and may help prevent the collection of plaque in the arteries.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the following nutrient content descriptors for pomegranates: cholesterol-free, high in fiber and high in vitamin C.

Sales Strategies

Cross-merchandise pomegranates with pomegranate juice, bagged salads, salad dressing and croutons. Pomegranates are only available from late summer to early winter with promotable supplies available from October to January. Use that short window to promote them heavily. Fall: Include pomegranates in fall fruit promotions. Promote them as a great addition to Halloween parties. Winter: Pomegranates hit their stride in early winter. Include them in holiday promotions. Their bright red color means they can be used as a decoration as well as an addition to the holiday meal. Promote pomegranates as a great topping to holiday salads. Offer samples of pomegranates as a way to familiarize shoppers with how to cut a pomegranate and remove the arils.

Dynamic Displays

Pomegranates look sturdy, but they can crack with too much weight, so be sure to keep stacking to a minimum.
Make pomegranates the centerpiece of the display during their short availability window.
Pomegranates and persimmons have similar availability windows and complementary flavors so display them together.
Use pomegranates’ bright color to create an eye-catching color break.
Offer tips on how to cut pomegranates and remove the seeds on your display.

Food Service

Include pomegranate juice on your menu. Its health benefits are becoming more well known among consumers.
Use pomegranate juice to flavor smoothies or iced tea.
Add pomegranate arils in salads and on salad bars.
Top pancakes and waffles with pomegranates.

In the Backroom

Shipping
Pomegranates are sold mostly in trays – 2-layer traypacks, 6-pack trays and euro-trays. They are sold by count in 20-, 24-, 30- and 36-count packs. They also are sold in bulk bins. RPC -- 6411, 6413, 6416

Grades
Pomegranates are subject to no official U.S. grade standards.

Handling
Temperature: 45-55 F, 7.2-12.8 C Relative humidity: 90-95% Mist: No Typical shelf life: 1 month Susceptible to chilling injury if kept below 41 F (5 C).