New apple variety from New Zealand making U.S. debut this summer
New apple variety from New Zealand making U.S. debut this summer
Earth Source Trading, a leading produce importer and wholly owned subsidiary of Four Seasons Produce Inc. in Ephrata, PA, announced the U.S. debut of the New Zealand-grown Premier Star apple.
The red apple is available this summer in limited volumes in its debut season. As the exclusive U.S. supplier, Earth Source Trading is introducing the Premier Star to enhance the current import apple market, providing an eye-catching
option for consumers. The apple is currently being sold at select retail locations nationwide.
The apple is firm, juicy, and also stores, handles, and travels very well. Noted for its outstanding red color, thick flesh and good eating characteristics, the Premier Star is a favorable apple variety for the U.S. market.
Discovered in 1999, Premier Star is an imperial Gala sport. It took years for the apple to be formally identified as Premier Star, which it was officially named in 2005. With only a small number of growers in the Nelson and Hawke's Bay regions, Premier Star growers have achieved enough volume to allocate a small amount of the apple to the U.S. market, after selling primarily to countries in Asia with great success.