Domex will have good apple sizing to meet demand
Domex will have good apple sizing to meet demand
Although the 2015-16 Washington apple season is expected to be dominated by smaller-sized fruit, Domex Superfresh Growers anticipates still having large size apples to promote throughout the season.
Howard Nager, vice president of marketing for Domex Superfresh Growers, with Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. (Photo courtesy of Domex Superfresh Growers)“Mother Nature again has had an impact on the crop from hail in the spring to extreme heat this summer,” said Howard Nager, vice president of marketing. “This impacted some varieties more than others with the biggest outcome being a reduction in the size profile of the fruit. We are looking at about one to two sizes smaller than last year. Fruit quality should be excellent with good color and eating quality.”
The harvest is already under way, having started with Gingergold and Gala in early August, transitioning to other varieties as fall approaches. The proprietary variety, Autumn Glory, will be harvested in mid- to late October and be ready to ship in November. Nager said Domex has significantly increased its volume for Honeycrisp, “now the second largest dollar generator in the apple category.”
Domex grows and markets both conventional and organic apples. “Organics are showing a 7 percent decline versus this past year, but a 6 percent increase over the 2012-13 crop,” Nager stated.
The company exports apples to Canada and Mexico with other ships going to the Far East, Middle East, Pacific Rim and Central America. Some shipments of Red Delicious and Gala apples have already been exported to China.
Domex continuously upgrades its facilities to increase efficiency and quality. “We began packing on a state-of-the-art brand new packingline in Yakima earlier in August,” Nager told The Produce News. “In addition, new cold storage rooms have been built to handle the large volumes of fruit that will need to be stored for shipments later in the year.”
Autumn Glory has been well-received since its introduction. “This proprietary variety is available in two-pound high-impact graphic gusseted pouch bags as well as tray packs,” Nager said.
