WENATCHEE, WA - As the industry finds itself mid-summer, the West Coast is subsequently in the middle of peach season. Stemilt Growers is ramping up its production of organic stonefruit this season, with packaging offered to match consumer demand.
Brianna Shales, Communications Manager at Stemilt Growers, tells me that the company is in peak peach season, which arrived around ten days earlier than last year. The company is mostly packing the Sweet Dream variety right now, out of Southcentral Washington, which has great eating quality.
“Quality has been really good this year,” Brianna tells me of the company’s current organic peach selection. “We are seeing fruit with higher sugars, likely as a result of cooler weather throughout spring and summer. Sizing is peaking on jumbo/large sizes, however we have a good range of sizes available.”
Stemilt Growers expects to see a good market for organic peaches this year, aided by rising demand. Brianna says that consumption of organics set a record high in 2015 which the company sees only increasing.
Retailers can bolster their Stemilt organic peaches sales with pop-up display bins, corresponding POS materials to engage passionate consumers, and a variety of pack types. Brianna suggests that retailers keep in a mind that an early start to the season means an earlier end, with the season projected to end around mid-September.
As the industry continues to move through its peach offerings, stay with AndNowUKnow for the latest in varietal offerings and crop updates.
