WENATCHEE, WA - Stemilt’s 2025 apple harvest laid the foundation for an exceptional year for Cosmic Crisp® apples, with vibrant color, ideal sizing, and outstanding quality. As the industry looks to more growth in volume, Stemilt’s Marketing Director, Brianna Shales, sees Cosmic Crisp poised for promotions as it becomes a mainline apple variety.

“This year’s crop is absolutely stunning,” said Shales in the recent release. “From color to firmness, every apple reflects the care and dedication our growers put into making Cosmic Crisp a premium choice for shoppers nationwide. It’s one of those apples that tastes great straight off the tree or enjoyed many months later. It stores incredibly well throughout the season and is consistent in delivering an out-of-this-world crunch. It's no surprise that its swift rise in popularity has positioned Cosmic Crisp to be a regular part of the apple category.”

Cosmic Crisp continues to rise as a key player in the U.S. apple category, now recognized as the #1 club apple in the nation and #7 variety overall. According to the latest industry report from the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, Washington has produced approximately 13 million boxes of Cosmic Crisp, increasing its availability on shelves year-round. Last year, Cosmic Crisp reached a peak store count of 21,157, up 2,402 from the year prior.

Shales explained that conventional apples offer a broad range of sizes, while organic options tend to be larger but less abundant. A recent Stemilt analysis of Nielsen scan data also shows that 67.6% of Cosmic Crisp is sold in bulk, with 32.4% available in bagged options, giving retailers flexibility for both volume sales and consumer convenience.

“Cosmic Crisp is a key driver of dollars to the apple category because two-thirds of its volume is sold as bulk, which carries a 19-cent increase in the price per pound compared to bags. It’s now a mainline variety that opens tremendous opportunities for retailers to engage consumers all year long,” said Shales. “Whether through bulk bins, 5 lb. bags, or programs like Lil Snappers® and EZ Band packs, there are so many ways to highlight this apple and make it a favorite in every household.”

Retailers can align promotions with key seasonal opportunities to maximize consumer engagement. Healthy eating trends in January and red-themed Valentine’s Day promotions in February provide perfect moments to spotlight Cosmic Crisp. Promotional activity from January onward helps maintain momentum, with February and March representing peak months for sales. Display bins, boxes, and in-store events can highlight the variety and capture shopper attention across the regions. While peak timing varies, like in the Northeast, which typically reaches peak sales in March, well-timed promotions in these areas can still drive incremental growth.

“The key to success is combining beautiful crop quality with thoughtful in-store promotions,” added Shales. “With the right displays, ads, and events, retailers can showcase Cosmic Crisp this apple season in a way that drives both excitement and sales.”