WENATCHEE, WA – The new Stemilt-O-Graphic from Stemilt Growers provides detailed insight into category performance for apples across the U.S.

The FruitTracker management program provides reports for four weeks of performance from January 2015, comparing it to the numbers for the same time period the prior year.

According to a Stemilt press release, apples contributed to 6.7 percent for the nation’s total produce department, as opposed to last year’s 7.2 percent.

“The record crop of high-quality apples gives retailers lots of opportunities for creative promotions to drive sales and dollars to this important category in produce,” Roger Pepperl, Marketing Director for Stemilt, said in the release. “Spring is coming, and with it comes some of the best apples all year. Plan promotions now to ensure your apple category far exceeds the U.S. average in the coming months.”

Weekly averages in both volume and dollars took a slight dip from this time last year, with this year’s numbers being 2,096 pounds of product and $3,244 from 2,172 pounds and $3,346 in 2014.

Gala led all varieties with 25.7 percent of sales, followed by Red Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp. Bulk apples made up 63.4 percent of pounds sold, with the average retail price per pound of $1.68.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the most up-to-date industry news.

Stemilt