“We are now just getting into the 2013 crop and our new properties are starting to really produce volumes,” Owens said.
“Over the next five years we will see double-digit production growth year on year.”
Seald Sweet installs cooler in Lakeland
Dave Brocksmith, Florida citrus manager for Vero Beach, Fla.-based Seald Sweet International, said the company has installed a new cooler in its Lakeland packing plant.
The equipment has a capacity of 50 loads of fruit, Brocksmith said, and the company expects to have a strong Valencia deal in May and June.
Sunwest Fruit’s Zeal enjoys overseas success
After four years of offering its eco-friendly citrus under the Zeal brand to overseas buyers, Sunwest Fruit says the program has taken off, particularly in Japan.
Doug Sankey, marketing manager for the Parlier, Calif.-based grower-shipper, said the program is also attracting U.S. retailers.
Sankey said the Japanese like the fact that Sunwest’s ranches are GlobalGAP-certified, its packing facilities are Safe Quality Food-certified and stringent criteria are in place for air, water and chemical use.
Zeal fruit is certified by Protected Harvest, a nonprofit organization based in Soquel, Calif.
“Some of the standards may be even more stringent than organic,” he said.
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