North Bay Produce is a cooperative of approximately 30 grower-owners from North, Central and South America with apples being one of its main commodities. 

“The winter market has been strong, with significant movement in both domestic and export markets,” said Ken Korson, apple category manager for the Traverse City, MI-based company.  “The season is shaping up to remain robust for both processed and fresh apples.”

For North Bay, all the main apple varieties (Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Honeycrisp and Pink Lady) have performed well this winter, with stronger pricing as the season progressed. 

“Apples are a stable and affordable fruit available year-round, and with the rising prices of other fruits, they have become a more attractive option for consumers,” Korson said. “Buyers tend to prioritize varieties they know they can sell because shelf space is premium.”

As of early February, all of its apples are kept in controlled atmosphere storage, which preserves them in a dormant state, ensuring they stay firm and full of flavor. 

“Once we open the storage rooms, our goal is to pack and ship the apples to our customers within just a few days,” Korson said. “It is essential to maintain product quality by meticulously preserving the cold chain from the moment it is harvested from the tree through the various stages of storage and ultimately to the consumer. Controlled atmosphere storage ensures that the integrity, freshness and nutritional value of the product are maintained, safeguarding it against temperature fluctuations that could otherwise lead to degradation.”

North Bay has noticed demand for Michigan apples increase this year as buyers seek high-quality fruit for promotional purposes. 

“With an abundant supply available and consistent quality, apples are a smart choice for retailers,” Korson said. 

North Bay Apples has recently undergone a rebranding, which centers on the farmer, symbolizing North Bay’s dedication to connection and cooperation. 

“Farmers are essential to our identity and operations,” Korson said. “As a global cooperative, we are owned by the farmers who produce our commodities and aim to connect consumers with those who provide their food. The feedback we’ve received on the early stages of the launch of our rebrand has been very positive, reinforcing that we landed on a brand that will resonate with consumers worldwide.”

The future looks promising as the rebrand continues to make an impact. 

“We are confidently expanding our network of top-notch growers while upgrading our packing facilities and implementing state-of-the-art controlled atmosphere storage,” Korson said. “These strategic enhancements will ensure we consistently deliver the highest quality products to our customers.”

North Bay is facing many of the same challenges plaguing other produce growers. Korson noted pricing and labor have been satisfactory this year; however, transportation costs have risen and securing loads has been challenging at times.

“The biggest challenge for the rest of the season is to take care of our loyal customers who support us year-round, ensuring they don’t need to look elsewhere for their apples,” Korson said. “Our goal is to continue being a year-round supplier of Michigan apples, which we have successfully done in recent years and plan to maintain moving forward.”