The success of Envy apples among retailers and consumers has been well-established, but “the consistent-eating JAZZ apple is also a star, with great support from major retailers,” said Roger Aguirre, director of apples and pears at Oppy.

The company is proud of the markets it has created  over the years for branded apples. “We have the best minds at T&G and Oppy,” Aguirre said, “finding what works to move the dial for these great varieties.”

The apple market is moderate with steady movement. The new crop out of Washington is of superior quality as well as apples in the east. A tighter market remains on smaller sizes, which are generally supplied to schools.

Starr Ranch Growers, known for its top-performing JUICI apples, is proud of the human element behind the scenes of its forward-facing fruit portfolio. “We’re excited about these developments,” Krista Beckstead, brand manager at Starr, said regarding its work to become Fair Trade Certified on 3,300 acres of its Wenatchee and Quincy custom apple packing facilities. “It’s a big accomplishment, taking a little over a year, start to finish, to become certified.”

The snow may be flying and the temps cold in central Washington, but Stemilt Growers has volume and demand for its winter apples. “These key winter months through early springtime offer focused promotion opportunities for apples,” said Brianna Shales, marketing director of Stemilt. The Wenatchee, WA-based grower-shipper has a full slate of varietal offerings, including significant growth with Cosmic Crisp. 

Austin Fowler has been in the apple business for a long time and has seen lots of trends, both short term, and long term. As the winter apple season approaches, one notable trend he is taking note of is a change in perception of several newer apple varieties.

The Washington Apple Education Foundation scholarship application is currently open and available to students raised in tree fruit industry families with plans to attend college in the fall of 2022.  Annually, WAEF awards over $1 million in scholarships on behalf of Washington’s tree fruit growers, packers, shippers and suppliers to college-bound and college-enrolled students.  The application must be submitted in its entirety by March 1 for consideration.