Domex says time is right for apricot promotions
Domex says time is right for apricot promotions
Domex Superfresh Growers is looking forward to a sweet Washington state apricot crop this season.
The industry is estimating approximately 5,200 tons, which is about a 9 percent increase over what was shipped last season. Weather this growing season for apricots has been excellent and will provide above-average sizing and flavor.
“Domex will begin shipping by the third week of June through the end of July,” Howard Nager, vice president of marketing for Domex Superfresh Growers, based in Yakima, WA, said in a press release. “Volume for the season could be approximately 15 percent of the industry’s estimated 700,000 boxes. Perfections, Rivals and Robada will account for the majority of the varieties shipped and will also include a smaller organic program with a limited shipping window the end of June into the first two weeks of July.”
The majority of the fruit will be shipped to accounts in the United States while exports are directed primarily to Canada as well as Mexico. Domex will ship a variety of sizes in a 15-pound panta pack, 24-pound volume filled cases and 1.6-pound Ziploc poly bags.
Domex believes apricots can be a boon for retailers, and it offered its top five reasons to merchandise apricots.
- Remain competitive — your competitors are promoting and you should as well.
- Market basket profitability — basket dollars increased 23 percent when purchasing stone fruit.
- Display size and product location — increased displays affects volume and dollar sales.
- Consumption trend — Per-capita consumption of apricots continues to grow.
- Featured ad growth — there has been a 13 percent increase in apricot ads during 2013 season over prior year.
“Apricots bring the taste of summer to consumers with their vibrant color and tangy-sweet taste,” Nager added in the press release. “We see a large percentage of retailers across both the U.S. and Canada featuring apricots in ads and promotions. They are ideal for baking, making preserves or eaten as a delicious, nutritious snack. They are fat-free, sodium free and are high in vitamins A and C and as well as being a good source of potassium. We are looking forward to sharing the great taste of Washington apricots this season.”
