After a record-breaking sophomore year that is not over yet, Cosmic Crisp® Apple’s growth trajectory indicates it will launch to the top of the Apple chart in no time. Nielsen data shows monumental growth, reaching #11 in sales dollars in March and #14 over the 52 weeks ending March 27, 2021. If retailers do not have a Cosmic Crisp® apple program now, they miss significant sales and customer expectations.
“Cosmic Crisp® volume is planned to more than double this fall and again for the 2022 harvest. This volume will rival current core variety volume, displacing mature varieties that are being replaced with higher color strains and flavor varieties,” explains Catherine Gipe-Stewart, Communications Manager. “Cosmic Crisp® is rising so quickly, it has the potential to become a top-5 variety at this time next year.”
Total apple volume projections based on trees planted
Nielsen data shows a 595% increase in dollars and a 720% in volume over the four weeks ending March 27, 2021. In March alone, Cosmic Crisp® earned the 11th spot with $4.3 MM in sales and 1.8 MM lbs, at an average price of $2.52/lb, right in line with Honeycrisp at $2.55/lb. Looking at a yearly perspective (last 52 weeks), Cosmic Crisp® has earned $20 MM in sales, with 7.7MM lbs.
“Historically, apples like Cosmic Crisp® take root in the Pacific region and spread eastward like wildfire,” says Gipe-Stewart. “This was the case with Fuji apple and others.” March Nielsen data shows Cosmic Crisp® is already leading in the eighth spot for the Pacific, with $1.2 MM in March sales. Pacific Cosmic Crisp® sales are up 814% in dollars and 1096% in volume. “We can’t wait to see how Cosmic Crisp transforms the apple category, driving dollar and volume growth,” Gipe-Stewart explains.
“Feedback has been stellar since the first launch last year,” continues Gipe-Stewart. “We have seen excellent, storewide execution by some retailers. Cosmic Crisp® apple creates an entire consumer experience from the first crunchy bite to delicious baked goods and beautiful home decorating. We are seeing consumers get as excited about Cosmic Crisp® as we are growing it.”
Cosmic Crisp® apple is grown in Washington State and was bred and developed by Washington State University. The Apple was first released in November 2019. Superfresh Growers are 5th generation, family-owned fruit growers in the Pacific Northwest.
