The Kissabel® apple season has officially begun in the northern hemisphere, bringing with it excellent harvest prospects and a series of consumer engagement activities. Sales of the innovative range of apples with coloured flesh – from pink to intense red – began in mid-September thanks to the partners of the IFORED programme in their respective countries, with sales expected to continue in some markets until February.
The season will feature the American company NBT, the British company Worldwide Fruit, the French companies Mesfruits and Blue Whale, and the Swiss company Fenaco. The Italian partners of the NovaMela Consortium (Melinda, VIP, Rivoira, La Trentina and VOG) and the German Red Apple Germany will then take the stage, focusing solely on the Rouge variety.
“We are very confident about the upcoming season,” comments Emmanuel de Lapparent, manager of the Kissabel® programme. “Thanks to the excellent work of our programme partners, we anticipate a good harvest in terms of both volume and quality. Supported by the many planned activities and in-store promotions, I am sure that Kissabel® will continue to establish itself as a highly innovative and unique range of apples.”
There are positive reports regarding the volume and quality of the harvest this season. In the United States, NBT is preparing to enter in early October its third sales season with the Jaune and Rouge varieties. With production focused on the Orange and Rouge varieties and quantities slightly increasing, French partners Mesfruits and Blue Whale aim to expand the presence of Kissabel®.
There has also been promising feedback from the British partner: “We are very excited about the upcoming campaign,” comments Hannah McIlfatrick, Commercial Director of Worldwide Fruit. “We expect excellent quantities across all three varieties, Orange, Rouge and Jaune. Furthermore, the appearance of the apples at this stage is truly excellent. The campaign began in September and will continue until February.”
