CMI Orchards Smitten™ Production is Largest on Record

Monday, Oct. 9th, 2017

by Jessica Donnel

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WENATCHEE, WA – Consumers patiently waiting for Smitten™ apples sweet crunch, delectable tang, and juicy-goodness to return to the produce aisle are in luck. CMI Orchards’ new-crop apple season kicked off with an astonishing 400% increase in Smitten production.

“Retailer demand for Smitten has far exceeded our expectations,” said George Harter, Vice President of Marketing at CMI Orchards. “The high amount of interest from across the U.S. and Canada proves consumers are open to trying new varieties and new flavors in their apples.”

With a dynamic taste profile and sweet bite that seems to deliver exactly what customers are looking for in an apple, the Smitten is cultivated in New Zealand and combines two English varieties, Fiesta and Falstaff, with the more commonly known varieties, Royal Gala and Braeburn.

Smitten Pouch

The early harvest of Smitten™ provides a great opportunity for retailers to give its customers high-flavor, great tasting apples during the beginning of apple season, Harter affirms. “Smitten is already one of the top 15 branded apples in the U.S., and this success is despite it being a relatively new apple on the market,” he added. “We see such tremendous potential for this apple, and we’re excited to be part of the team in Washington State that grows and markets Smitten alongside Honey Bear Tree Fruit Company.”

Robb Myers, Vice President of Sales at CMI Orchards, added, “Smitten has a dynamic taste profile that seems to deliver exactly what customers are looking for in an apple. Amazing crunch, perfectly balanced flavor and tons of juice.”

He concluded that retailers interested in ordering Smitten this season should contact CMI immediately as supplies are limited and won’t last long.

Don Zornes, Sales Account Manager, Honey Bear Tree Fruit Sales Co. "Smitten growers are really ramping up production in order to meet consumers and retailer demands. We are already projecting an additional 75% increase next season," said Don Zornes, Smitten Marketing Director at Honey Bear Tree Fruit Company.