Guide to Pomegranates

Add pomegranates and pomegranate products to your business
By Mary Beth Doyle

Full of antioxidants, pomegranates have become a popular food among the health-conscious and even the average consumer, thanks to readily available products like POM juice and hip alcoholic drinks like the pomegranate martini. Consider adding this product to your store, whether in the form of fresh pomegranates, pomegranate juice or another pomegranate product. If you’re located in the right region, you can even grow your own pomegranate tree or bush.

Before adding pomegranates to your product lineup, consider the following:

1. Do you have a market for fresh pomegranates from local or international suppliers?

2. Would your customers be interested in pomegranate juice?

3. Would you consider adding other pomegranate products to your store?

4. Do you live in an area where you could produce your own pomegranates?

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out fresh products from pomegranate producers There are a variety of national and international pomegranate growers that distribute to all areas of the United States. Be aware of the pomegranate harvesting season for each grower so you know when to start marketing your pomegranates.

I recommend: You can find locally grown pomegranate fruit for sale in the late summer and early fall from Slayman. Qingdao Dongshan Corporation can supply pomegranates and other unique products to U.S., European and South American markets. Jinan Dawnbreaker Industrial & Commercial is another good source for fresh pomegranates.

Explore pomegranate juice manufacturers Considering most American consumers wouldn't know where to begin opening a pomegranate, pomegranate juice is an easier way, to get the health benefits of this delectable fruit.

I recommend: POM Wonderful is the probably the most recognized manufacturer of pomegranate juice. The company has expanded its offerings to include pomegranate tea, pills and even fresh pomegranates. Old Orchard recently added a blueberry-pomegranate 100 percent juice blend to its line of products.

Find distributors of other products that use pomegranates Likely because of its natural health benefits, pomegranates have been showing up in all types of products, from skin revitalizers to wine.

I recommend: Brownwoods Acres Foods has a line of fruit softgel capsules, including a pomegranate capsule that is supposed to support healthy cardiovascular function. The Purple Fruit offers a pomegranate seed oil that is designed to prolong or decrease the signs of aging on a person’s skin.

Grow your own pomegranate trees and bushes Pomegranate trees and bushes can be found in local nurseries, depending on your location, or online. If they're of bearing size, they will produce pomegranates the very first year.

I recommend: TyTy Nursery sells six different varieties of pomegranate trees and bushes. Aaron’s Nursery is another great source for pomegranate trees. All trees can be ordered online and packaged and shipped directly to you with a 100 percent guarantee.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Order a small quantity of pomegranates or pomegranate products as your first shipment. You want to be sure customers are interested in the product before you invest too much money into it.