Latest News From Grapefruit

Sunkist touts summer citrus on TikTok
Sunkist touts summer citrus on TikTok

Sunkist Growers is using content on the social media platform, popular among millennial and Generation Z consumers, and its Sunkist Unlimited campaign to promote the in-season fruit as a versatile, affordable option.

USDA to purchase fresh grapefruit
USDA to purchase fresh grapefruit

Purchases will be made with the purpose of encouraging the continued domestic consumption of these products by diverting them from the normal channels of trade and commerce, the USDA says.

Growers give outlook on summer citrus deal
Growers give outlook on summer citrus deal

A quality crop is expected despite earlier weather woes, though sizing could be affected in some cases.

Sweeter, less acidic varietal, star ruby grapefruit hits shelves
Sweeter, less acidic varietal, star ruby grapefruit hits shelves

“The star ruby variety is especially sweet in the late winter and early spring,” said Bee Sweet’s Keith Watson, adding that consumers can distinguish them by their blushed rind and dark red internal color.

Cold front hits Florida citrus region, USDA reports
Cold front hits Florida citrus region, USDA reports

Temperatures cooled significantly in Florida’s citrus growing region last week, with average highs ranging from the low 60s to the low 70s, according to a USDA report.

U.S. citrus estimates drop after Hurricane Ian devastated Florida
U.S. citrus estimates drop after Hurricane Ian devastated Florida

Florida was a drag on U.S. citrus production in new estimates released by USDA on Oct. 12.

Florida grapefruit has seen better days, but what is next?
Florida grapefruit has seen better days, but what is next?

The avocado has become what the grapefruit once was, and vice versa.

Florida grapefruit: getting small and then regrouping
Florida grapefruit: getting small and then regrouping

The grapefruit’s fall from the hallowed pedestal it enjoyed in the 1970s can’t be pinned on one single factor.

FFVA, lawmakers, press USDA on grapefruit inspections
FFVA, lawmakers, press USDA on grapefruit inspections

On Thursday, a bipartisan letter was sent to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to urge the USDA “immediately reverse” its decision to suspend Section 8e grapefruit juice content standards for imported grapefruits.

Domestic grapefruit shippers alarmed by suspension of juice content requirement for imports
Domestic grapefruit shippers alarmed by suspension of juice content requirement for imports

U.S. citrus leaders are raising concerns about a recent change in U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection requirements for imported grapefruit.

IMG Citrus launches YELLOS, a new Florida grapefruit brand
IMG Citrus launches YELLOS, a new Florida grapefruit brand

Vero Beach, Fla.-based IMG Citrus has announced a new Florida grapefruit brand and specialty product, YELLOS.

Limoneira Co. Announces Joint Venture with Wileman Bros. & Elliott Inc.
Limoneira Co. Announces Joint Venture with Wileman Bros. & Elliott Inc.

Limoneira Co. announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Wileman Bros. & Elliott, Inc., to come together to sell their combined citrus volumes under the One World of Citrus Alliance.

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.

Florida's crops shape up great for some, tough for others
Florida's crops shape up great for some, tough for others

Prissy Fletcher is overjoyed. The cabbage crop is thriving this year in St. Johns County, just south of Jacksonville in northeastern Florida.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

Florida citrus growers vote to maintain marketing order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that fresh citrus producers voted to continue the marketing order regulating the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pummelos grown in Florida.

Strawberries catch eyes on PMG

Pummelos and oranges maintained the top two spots on PMG the first week of January, but strawberries rejoined the list at No. 3.

Citrus rules PMG's top 20

Citrus surged in interest during the last few days of December, taking six of the top 20 spots.

Lone Star Citrus offers Winter Sweetz grapefruit sweepstakes

Lone Star Citrus, Mission, Texas, is promoting Winter Sweetz grapefruit with Sweeter in Texas, a sweepstakes celebrating the state’s red grapefruit season into the new year.

Avocados take No. 1 on PMG

Avocados bounced from No. 7 the week of Nov. 30 to take the lead spot on PMG the week of Nov. 7.

Citrus interest big on PMG

Organic pears maintained the top spot on PMG the week of Nov. 30, but citrus showed strong interest overall, taking six of the top 20 spots.

Progressive Produce expands organic heirloom navel program

Los Angeles-based grower/packer/shipper Progressive Produce will see an expanded organic Heirloom Navel orange program towards the end of the year and into the first quarter of 2021.

European Union slaps tariff on blueberries, sweet potatoes

U.S. Fresh blueberries, dates, grapefruit and sweet potatoes are among U.S. agricultural products have been hit with 25% retaliatory tariffs by the European Union in mid-November.

Texas citrus weathers Hurricane Hanna with slight drops
Texas citrus weathers Hurricane Hanna with slight drops

Industry expectations for the Texas citrus crop estimate a smaller output than last year, primarily because of fruit damage from Hurricane Hanna in late July.

TerraFresh Organics starts Mexican citrus season

TerraFresh Organics, an organic fruit company supplying organic citrus, mangos, stone fruit and grapes to North America, is prepared for a solid organic Mexican citrus season.

Florida citrus growers optimistic about quality, demand
Florida citrus growers optimistic about quality, demand

Florida citrus production is projected to be slightly lower this season than last, but high demand is expected throughout the season.

Trio of University of Florida projects seek to beat citrus greening

The University of Florida has received federal grants nearly $4.5 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture grants to fight citrus greening, aka huanglongbing/HLB.

IMG’s Veronique Sallin recognized for citrus contributions in Florida

Veronique Sallin, co-founder of Clermont, Fla.-based IMG Enterprises Inc., parent company of IMG Citrus, is Florida’s 2020 Woman of the Year in Agriculture.

Orange output down, USDA says

With Florida groves showing the biggest declines, the 2020-21 U.S. orange crop is forecast 11% lower, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first crop production report. 

District 3 citrus season begins for Veg-Fresh Farms

Veg-Fresh Farms, Corona, Calif., is starting its winter citrus season.

Fruit World starts citrus season with bright packaging makeover

Fruit World, Reedley, Calif., is introducing high-graphic recyclable packaging as it enters the citrus season with increased availability of California mandarins and other citrus.

Researchers seek help from organic citrus growers to fight HLB

Researchers are contacting organic citrus growers for help in developing a holistic approach in battling citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing/HLB.

USDA removes Mexfly quarantine in Texas citrus area
USDA removes Mexfly quarantine in Texas citrus area

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, has removed a Mexican fruit fly quarantine area in Harlingen, Texas.

South Africa citrus promotion boosted by pandemic demand

Summer Citrus from South Africa has finished another successful consumer promotion, Here Comes the Sun.

Psyllid with bacteria found in commercial California grove

An adult Asian citrus psyllid found in a commercial grove in Riverside County has tested positive for  Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacteria that causes Huanglongbing.

Texas citrus growers assessing damage from Hurricane Hanna
Texas citrus growers assessing damage from Hurricane Hanna

Texas citrus growers are assessing the damage to the crop from Hurricane Hanna, but early estimates are 20% to 30% of the fruit was knocked off the trees

Three citrus groups join forces with Florida Classic Growers
Three citrus groups join forces with Florida Classic Growers

Florida Classic Growers, Dundee, Fla., has a new partnership with three citrus groups that will expand its product offerings and increase distribution of citrus marketed under the company’s label.

Mexican fruit flies
Texas Mexfly finds establish residential citrus quarantines

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Department of Agriculture has established a Mexican fruit fly quarantine in a resident area in Zapata, Texas.

Domestic citrus kicks off summer on high note
Domestic citrus kicks off summer on high note

Good news has been a rarity since the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic broke out early this year. But there appears to be a bright spot when it comes to U.S. citrus sales.

Bee Sweet Citrus sees pandemic citrus surge as summer begins
Bee Sweet Citrus sees pandemic citrus surge as summer begins

Bee Sweet Citrus is transitioning into its annual summer program as the pandemic continues to drive sales.

Sunkist celebrates ‘all-American summer’ through citrus

Sunkist Growers, Valencia, Calif., is celebrating the return of summer citrus and California Valencia oranges with a campaign focusing on “the all-American summer.”

Women in Produce — Julie DeWolf
Women in Produce — Julie DeWolf

If you think accountants are boring, you haven’t met Julie DeWolf, director of marketing operations for Sunkist Growers Inc. in Valencia, Calif.

Texas growers look forward to strong season
Texas growers look forward to strong season

Texas grower shippers are looking forward to a bountiful season for fruit and vegetable crops.