In June of last year, we reported on Washington’s new apple bet, the Cosmic Crisp. This variety apple, a cross between the popular Honeycrisp and Enterprise varieties is said to grow faster, is higher in sugar, and provides better yields than other types.
Although the state is planning on planting more than 11 million trees in the next few years, questions remain as to how long it will be before this varieties production shows a change in the market.
Cosmic Crisp is being planted, in many cases, into ultra high-density trellised systems. Historically, a high-density orchard is one in which more than 150-180 trees are planted per acre–anything above this number would constitute an ultra high-density orchard. Some orchards in the Pacific Northwest number between 5,000-9,000 trees per acre. In conjunction with the number of trees, a high-density system must come into bearing within 2-3 years after planting–meaning using a precocious dwarfing rootstock that has the capacity for an early bearing.
These systems are becoming more vigorous to help offset the increased establishment costs. In today’s markets, new cultivars are selling 4-5 times the number of standard cultivars. Having orchards that can establish and crop within the first 2-3 years will provide the grower a break even in 6-7 years versus the 10-12 year cycle of traditional orchards.
Growers are looking at consumer concerns, worrying that shoppers will come to expect something new every year which will not be suitable for growers. Cosmic Crisp, which is new now will be a traditional variety within three years, a significant acceleration to conventional offerings. Store shelves only have a limited amount of space for apple varieties. As new apples are introduced, stores have some say in whether the consumer will see these types or not by which they choose to sell.
Some growers also worry that they won’t be able to keep up with demand. Right now, the only growers that can cultivate Cosmic Crisp apples are Washington.
In the end, it will come down to how great they taste and successful marketing to the consumer. With the vast array of new varieties, it will be the market that eventually decides which stay and which go.