Latest News From Citrus

DiSilva Fruit offers summer citrus
DiSilva Fruit offers summer citrus

Feel refreshed this summer with imported summer citrus from DiSilva Fruit!

Chilean Citrus Committee cites jump in clementine expectations
Chilean Citrus Committee cites jump in clementine expectations

With Chilean clementines and lemons already in market, and navels and mandarins on the way, the Chilean Citrus Committee of ASOEX has released an updated season forecast.

SUNRAYS is a Finalist in 2021 Eco-Excellence Awards
SUNRAYS is a Finalist in 2021 Eco-Excellence Awards

Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. is honored to have its SUNRAYS Mandarin BIO bags selected as one of the Finalists in the Snack Category in NCW Magazine’s 2021 Eco-Excellence Awards. 

Citrus Research Board Awarded $3.4 Million to Fund HLB Research
Citrus Research Board Awarded $3.4 Million to Fund HLB Research

The Citrus Research Board (CRB) has been awarded $3,438,059 in funding from the Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination Group (HLB MAC) to support its California Focused Citrus Research and Field Trials (CRaFT). 

It's red, blue ... green and orange in the PMG top 20
It's red, blue ... green and orange in the PMG top 20

Although things weren't all red, white and blue on PMG in the week leading up to the July Fourth holiday, seasonal favorites still stacked the top 20.

Dayka & Hackett LLC and Agrícola Don Ricardo announce agreement to be acquired by Frutura 
Dayka & Hackett LLC and Agrícola Don Ricardo announce agreement to be acquired by Frutura 

Dayka & Hackett LLC, Reedley, Calif., and Agrícola Don Ricardo, Ica, Peru, have signed agreements to sell majority ownership to newly formed produce company Frutura. 

South Africa citrus production, exports, continue strong growth 
South Africa citrus production, exports, continue strong growth 

The production of South African citrus, mainly soft citrus, new orange varieties, lemons and limes is estimated to continue its strong growth in the 2020-21 marketing year, according to a new report from the USDA.

Bee Sweet ready for Chilean citrus
Bee Sweet ready for Chilean citrus

As California’s citrus domestic season nears an end, the Bee Sweet Citrus team is transitioning its focus to the company’s annual summer citrus program.

PJ Citrus switches sourcing to California
PJ Citrus switches sourcing to California

With citrus harvest ending from Florida in May, citrus distributor PJ Citrus, Doral, Fla., will source citrus from California, said Julyann Borges, president of the company. 

International Fruit Co. looks to increased citrus volumes
International Fruit Co. looks to increased citrus volumes

Hammonton, N.J.-based International Fruit Co. will see bigger imported citrus volume this summer, says Norman Barao, vice president of sales and marketing.

SUNRAYS to help keep kids reading, learning all summer long
SUNRAYS to help keep kids reading, learning all summer long

Tarrytown, NY-based Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. is excited to announce that through its SUNRAYS® brand it will be supporting Save the Children’s annual summer reading campaign in the United States, which starts today.

Seald Sweet looks for good supply of Southern Hemisphere citrus
Seald Sweet looks for good supply of Southern Hemisphere citrus

Seald Sweet will have about 3 million cartons of citrus volume from Peru, Chile, Uruguay and South Africa this summer.

Wonderful Citrus offers expanding summer Halo volume
Wonderful Citrus offers expanding summer Halo volume

Wonderful Citrus will source its summer citrus volume from Chile, South Africa, Peru, Uruguay and Argentina, and the marketer’s supply will be up significantly this season.

U.S. citrus imports surge over past 20 years
U.S. citrus imports surge over past 20 years

U.S. imports of citrus have doubled in value over the past seven years.

Oranges
Florida citrus industry continues to be vital player in state economy

Despite a decrease in citrus production, the Florida citrus industry contributed more value to the state of Florida in 2019-20 than the previous season. 

Sunkist expects strong consumer interest in citrus to continue
Sunkist expects strong consumer interest in citrus to continue

Citrus marketers have benefitted from great consumer interest during the COVID-19 pandemic and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon, Christina Ward thinks.

Sunkist Ojai Pixie tangerines available
Sunkist Ojai Pixie tangerines available

Available now through June, there’s no better time to stock up on Sunkist Ojai Pixie tangerines.

Northwest cherry growers look for strong crop
Northwest cherry growers look for strong crop

Look for a bigger crop of Northwest cherries in 2021 and a nice-sized promotion window for retailers.

Trending on PMG ... loquat?
Trending on PMG ... loquat?

For the past couple of weeks a certain specialty has been topping the charts on PMG — namely, loquat!

Promising advancements in biocontrol treatment that slows citrus greening  
Promising advancements in biocontrol treatment that slows citrus greening  

Florida citrus growers may have a new tool to help them slow the presence of citrus greening in already diseased trees.  

May USDA forecast remains stable for Florida orange production
May USDA forecast remains stable for Florida orange production

The United States Department of Agriculture projected no change in Florida Orange production in its May forecast.

The Packer seeking input on summer citrus marketing survey
The Packer seeking input on summer citrus marketing survey

Citrus suppliers are invited to give their perspective on the summer citrus outlook for The Packer’s May 31 Summer Citrus Marketing Section.

Star Ruby Grapefruit Available for Seasonal Demand
Star Ruby Grapefruit Available for Seasonal Demand

As temperatures begin to rise in California’s Central Valley, the Bee Sweet Citrus team has turned its focus to Star Ruby Grapefruit as a key player in the company’s seasonal line.

Expect more Chilean citrus imports
Expect more Chilean citrus imports

Importers and marketers of Chilean citrus can expect a 6% increase in volume for the 2021 season, according to an initial forecast by the Chilean Citrus Committee.

Sunkist debuts “Family Segments” cooking series 
Sunkist debuts “Family Segments” cooking series 

Sunkist Growers recently debuted Family Segments, a new three-part series on YouTube. '

IMG Citrus adds 2,500-acre grove in Southwest Florida
IMG Citrus adds 2,500-acre grove in Southwest Florida

Vero Beach, Fla.-based IMG Citrus, a citrus grower, packer and shipper, acquired a 2,500-acre citrus grove in Charlotte County, Fla.

Specialty citrus varieties available for spring season
Specialty citrus varieties available for spring season

As immunity-boosting foods remain at the top of mind for many families, the Bee Sweet Citrus sales team reports a strong supply of specialty citrus varieties to meet ongoing demand for fresh produce.

Oranges Citrus
Nutrien Ag Solutions Partners with Elemental Enzymes to Combat Citrus Greening

“Since 2005, citrus growers have been plagued by citrus greening—a yield- and quality-robbing disease complex that has devastated the industry—causing farm gate losses of more than $8 billion,” says Ryan Bond.

Florida researchers discover new way to potentially control citrus greening
Florida researchers discover new way to potentially control citrus greening

Researchers at the University of Florida say they discovered another key resource in their ongoing pursuit to find solutions to fight Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening disease. 

Citrus stacks PMG top 5

Strawberries enjoyed a third week in a row at No. 1 on PMG, while pummelos bumped oranges down to take the No. 2 spot, landing oranges at No. 3.

Get a recap of produce industry news this week with Packer Insight.
Packer Insight — Economics of greenhouse, Texas citrus, Chilean grapes

The Packer's editors Tom Karst, Ashley Nickle and Amy Sowder cover key topics of the week, from foul weather and its effects on Texas citrus and Chilean grapes to developments in the greenhouse growing space.

USDA raises Florida orange estimate 

The Florida 2020-2021 orange crop grew by 3.7% in February’s U.S. Department of Agriculture crop production report.

Artichokes, apricots vault into PMG top 20

Strawberries retained the No. 1 spot on PMG the week of Feb. 1, but apples rose from No. 8 the previous week to take the No. 2 slot.

Consumption of vitamins C and E linked to lower risk of Parkinson’s disease

Those who consume high levels of vitamin C and E in their diet may have a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease than people who get only small amounts of these nutrients, a new study reports.

There are now more options in the Peelz mandarin category.
Fowler Packing adds organics, dekopons to Peelz lineup

Fresno, Calif.-based Fowler Packing, which markets mandarins under its Peelz brand, has expanded its offerings to include organic mandarins and dekopon mandarins.

Strawberries take the cake — or No. 1 — on PMG

Pummelos were finally knocked from their weeks-long run at No. 1 when strawberries took the top spot on PMG the week of Jan. 25.

Amy Sowder
Top 4 kitchen gadgets for fresh produce

We haven’t had any opportunities to grab booth swag at in-person trade shows in almost a year, but there are a few produce gadgets I’ve held onto from shows in years past.

Organic citrus Fresh Trends insights

Organic oranges brought in more than $36 million in 2019 and comprised 3.8% of the retail orange category. Lemons grossed a similar dollar amount but made a bit more of an impact on retail lemon sales.

Texas citrus volume expected to rise slightly
Texas citrus volume expected to rise slightly

Shipments of oranges and grapefruit from Texas should be up slightly this season, according to the November citrus forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Florida citrus growers anticipate a good year
Florida citrus growers anticipate a good year

This should be a good year for Florida citrus with grower-shippers reporting good growing conditions for oranges and grapefruit, and some suppliers adding increasingly popular easy peelers.

Tropical fruits and staple favorites rejoin PMG top 20

Pummelo, oranges and strawberries carried the top three spots on PMG for the third week in a row, while lettuce rose three places to No. 4, and apples gained four spots to complete the top 5.

Bee Sweet Heirloom Navels back in season

Grown under the close watch of the company’s citrus growers, Bee Sweet’s Heirloom Navels are now in season and will be available through the end of California’s citrus domestic season.

Morning Kiss Organic, DiSilva Fruit highlight citrus for Chinese New Year

 Morning Kiss Organic and DiSilva Fruit, part of the Arrowfarms family of companies, are shipping a variety of produce in time for Chinese New Year's celebrations.

Exports play important role for many citrus marketers
Exports play important role for many citrus marketers

Exports play a role in the marketing plans of many citrus grower-shippers, but that role can vary from company to company and season to season.

Garlic and grapes make a comeback in PMG top 20

Pummelos, oranges and strawberries maintained the top three spots on PMG the week of Jan. 11, but mandarins rose from No. 11 the previous week to No. 4, and cabbage, previously No. 12, moved up to the No. 5 spot.

Citrus shines during pandemic
Citrus shines during pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged produce grower-shippers throughout the U.S., but a silver lining for the citrus industry is consumers’ perception of citrus as immunity boosters.

‘Excellent’ quality ahead for California's citrus crops
‘Excellent’ quality ahead for California's citrus crops

Although USDA's NASS estimated that California’s navel orange crop will be about 42 million 80-pound boxes this season, some grower-shippers estimate that number might be a bit on the heavy side.

Ample supplies, increased interest set citrus up for a strong season
Ample supplies, increased interest set citrus up for a strong season

Consumers typically turn to citrus to load up on vitamin C during cold and flu season, but this year, suppliers hope they’ll stock up on even more grapefruit, oranges, mandarins and lemons to keep COVID-19 at bay.

Oppy hires Sila Louw in grower relations in South Africa

The Oppenheimer Group has hired Sila Louw in a grower relations position in South Africa, its first position on the continent.

Amy Gates joins Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet as VP

Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet, Vero Beach, Fla., has hired Amy Gates as vice president.