Posts Tagged “Jazz apples”
The shipping of Michigan apples should make a major rebound this season over a year ago.
Both volume and sizing of Michigan apples should be up as the USDA predicts 1.18 billion pounds, a 40 percent increase from the 840 million pounds produced in 2017.
While it may be a large volume crop, total shipments are not expected to set a record. In 2016, Michigan apple shipments set a record of 1.28 billion pounds.
The Michigan Apple Committee reports a favorable crop to good springtime weather and no major weather incidents such as summertime hail.
The apple harvest in Michigan is underway and BelleHarvest Sales Inc. of Belding, MI is reporting a “great” crop that has size, sugar and color.
North Bay Produce of Traverse, MI launched its season with the paula reds variety on August 17th describing the growing season a pretty good, with great pollination and a really nice crop.
Glei’s Inc. of Hillsdale, MI kicked off its primary early summer varieties around Labor Day with galas city growing conditions as being much better than a year ago when there was frost damage. The company normally has apple shipments lasting 10 months, but the season in 2017 was shorter with poor quality.
Envy Apple Shipments
The Oppenheimer Group of Vancouver, B.C. is forecasting a 50 pecent increase in shipments of its Envy apples this season. The Envy apple is now shipped year around with the combination of its domestic loadings from Washington, as well as being imported from New Zealand. The variety has been described as large, red, very sweet and crisp.
Oppy also is expecting a 10 percent increase in its shipments of the Jazz variety. A big difference from last season is the company is expects good sizing for Jazz apples.
The Pacific Rose variety of apple will also receive emphasis this season, which has been sold out of Washington for 15 years. It is know as being very popular in China and in Vietnam. The taste of the Pacific Rose has been compared to that of the fuji apple.
Oppy also will be shipping Ambrosia apples in larger volume, whose originals are from British Columbia. The Ambrosia comes from BC Tree Fruit of Kelowna, B.C.
Oppy did not cite volumes for any of these varieties.
By Oppy
As consumers across North America pack their bags for summer vacations in the weeks ahead, the savviest among them will tuck in a little something extra—a freshly rebranded New Zealand JAZZ apple—with an aim to refresh their palates and their pocketbooks.
A $3,000 grand prize awaits the winner of JAZZ apples’ Summer Vacation Sensation Instagram Contest. It encourages participants to post “sensational” photos of the fruit taken during their summer adventures. Additional memory-making prizes, like Yeti coolers, GoPro cameras, and other outdoor-fun gear, will reward runners-up. bThe contest begins June 19 and spans the next eight weeks.
“As part of the JAZZ brand refresh, we’re reminding everyone of the apple’s amazing portability,” said Joe Barsi, president of T&G Global, North America, owner of the JAZZ apple brand. “With a dense texture and crisp crunch, not to mention an always-refreshing eating experience, a JAZZ apple is truly the ideal travel companion.”
The contest asks participants to post images of JAZZ apples at any destination or vacation setting. It has to create a “brand buzz” while conveying the upbeat personality and versatility of the apple.
Research
In the development of the refreshed JAZZ brand, research revealed that the apple resonates with well-travelled and socially-connected taste seekers—consumers. They are always looking for the latest and the new, and who enjoy sharing their discoveries.
“We believe the contest will appeal to the precise audience the brand aims to reach, and are excited to present this high-profile, fun opportunity to attract and engage that audience this summer and beyond,” said Brock Nemecek, regional marketing manager for T&G Global, North America. “This initiative will not only keep JAZZ apples top-of-mind and in shoppers’ carts over the next couple months, but will also establish consumer connections that the brand will foster year-round.”
T&G Global and marketing partner Oppy will work closely with retailers to generate support for the contest. At the same time amplifying it on various social platforms through mid-August.
“This is a great opportunity for our retail partners to promote fresh-crop New Zealand JAZZ apples, said David Nelley, vice president of categories for Oppy. “The fruit is excellent in quality, and excitement is already gathering around the refreshed brand at the store level and on social media. It’s going to be a great season, with numerous initiatives driving people to the JAZZ display.”
Join the fun and post your most sensational travel photos, starring a fresh crop JAZZ apple, following and tagging @jazzappleus, and using #jazzsensation on Instagram.
JAZZ apples are available year-round via domestic and import crops and are offered exclusively by CMI Orchards, Oppy, and Rainier Fruit Company.
by T&G Global / Oppy
Fresh crop New Zealand JAZZ™ apples are arriving now — decked out with a sharp new look and attitude geared to drive even stronger sales of the top-10 apple.
Built around the powerful positioning of “The JAZZ Sensation,” the new brand elevates the always refreshing eating experience delivered by the tangy-sweet, intensely crunchy favorite. Complete with a fresh new logo, and supported by a full suite of nimble visual components, JAZZ™ is primed to stand out in the category with contemporary colors, eye-catching graphics and a compelling brand message.
JAZZ™ apples originated in New Zealand, following a natural union of Royal Gala and Braeburn varieties. Sixteen years later, it’s become a global sensation, growing in 10 counties under a closely controlled quality program, managed by trademark owner and one of New Zealand’s largest horticulture exporters, T&G Global (originally Turners and Growers).
T&G Global introduced the new brand at Fruit Logistica in February, and has subsequently rolled it out market-by-market to great enthusiasm.
Darren Drury, T&G Global’s executive general manager – pipfruit, said the refresh of JAZZTMrepresents a major investment by T&G that extends across all touch-points from packaging to promotions and sampling to digital platforms.
“Our consumer research identified an opportunity to reinvigorate our JAZZTM brand to reinforce its premium position,” he explained. “We operate in a highly competitive category, so it’s vital to remain relevant while appealing to new consumers. Having discussed it with our growers, sales agents and customers we felt the time was right for a global refresh.”
Importantly, the esteemed ENZA quality mark will appear alongside the new JAZZ™ label, providing assurance that the long-standing quality and eating experience of JAZZ™ has not changed.
“The new JAZZ™ brand will engage consumers with an exciting new website and relevant social content aimed at creating a deeper relationship between JAZZ™ and its global fan base,” said Drury. “Our research guided us to focus JAZZ™ marketing efforts on well-travelled and socially connected taste seekers; consumers who are always looking for the latest and the new, and who enjoy sharing their discoveries. A durable, versatile, great-tasting apple like JAZZ™ is a perfect fit for this spirit and lifestyle, and our refreshed approach will place more JAZZ™ into their sphere.”
Available soon from Oppy, fresh crop New Zealand JAZZ™ apples will be supported by high-impact custom promotions arranged in partnership with retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
“JAZZ™ ranks third in the list of premium apples for dollar contribution in the produce department,” said David Nelley, vice president of categories at Oppy. “Its growth has been steady over the last decade and a half. The refreshed brand will renew existing connections with JAZZ™ apples as well as build new ones across North America.”
JAZZ™ apples are also available from CMI Orchards and Rainier Fruit Company primarily during the domestic season.
Drury says T&G is pleased with consistent growth and demand for JAZZTM across the company’s traditional markets including Germany, the UK and USA alongside newer markets such as Thailand, China, Vietnam and Japan.
“We’ve built up a stronger presence in our key markets and our people are better placed to further support our customers and work alongside growers on our year-round growing program,” he said. “We are also looking for new growth opportunities. It’s an exciting time for JAZZTM and we’re looking forward to sharing our new-look journey with customers, growers and consumers.”