Kanzi Apple Season Hits Peak Season Volume

Shipments of U.S. grown Kanzi brand apples are peaking and over the next few weeks will set new records for retail sales performance. During the past 52 weeks, flavor-intense Kanzi have been one of the brightest stars of the apple category, increasing in sales by more than 87 percent, company officials say. 

Robb Myers, vice president of sales at CMI reports retail interest in Kanzi is very high. “Kanzi apples are really turning heads at the retail level,” says Myers. “Over the past year, apple category dollars are down, yet Kanzi is still driving incredible growth.” 

Myers says that between March 15 and May 1, sales of Kanzi apples in the U.S. peak. “This is the time for Kanzi,” says Myers. “Kanzi flavor develops in storage so we release it in late winter just as sales momentum in the apple category is beginning to slow.” 

“There is nothing like a new item to invigorate category sales,” Myers adds. 

Myers says that the season for Washington State grown Kanzi apples extends through the end of April when imported Kanzi arrive from New Zealand. 

Steve Lutz, vice president of marketing for CMI, says national retail scan data results document the strong performance by Kanzi. According to Lutz, Nielsen data reveals that over the past year, Kanzi had the number one dollar growth rate among the 35 best-selling varieties in the U.S. 

“We’re seeing Kanzi selling successfully in nearly 3,500 stores nationally,” says Lutz. “The next six weeks are prime time for retailers to let their shoppers try this spectacular new apple.”