Latest News From Oranges

Sunkist CEO Russ Hanlin plans to retire

Russ Hanlin, who has been with Sunkist Growers Inc. since 1978, plans to retire as president and CEO Oct. 31, and Jim Phillips, president of Porterville Citrus, will succeed him.

Watermelon continues hot streak on Produce Market Guide
Watermelon continues hot streak on Produce Market Guide

For the third week in a row, watermelons have held the top spot as the most searched commodity on Produce Market Guide.

Bee Sweet Citrus prepares for summer imports
Bee Sweet Citrus prepares for summer imports

Bee Sweet Citrus, Fowler, Calif., is winding down its domestic citrus season, and preparing for the summer import season.

File photo
Watermelon and oranges fight for top spot on Produce Market Guide

Last week on Produce Market Guide searches for watermelon and orange content dominated demand.

California suppliers expect plenty of fruit for summer
California suppliers expect plenty of fruit for summer

California summer fruit suppliers are anticipating a brisk May-August season in 2019, with plenty of supplies to fill orders.

Avocado tops strawberry demand on Produce Market Guide
Avocado tops strawberry demand on Produce Market Guide

Last week on Produce Market Guide searches for avocados and strawberry content dominated demand.

LGS prepares for summer citrus, avocado season
LGS prepares for summer citrus, avocado season

LGS Specialty Sales Ltd., New Rochelle, N.Y., is preparing to start the Peruvian avocado and summer citrus seasons by visiting growers in different countries.

U.S. orange and tangerine exports slow in 2018

U.S. orange and tangerine exports suffered a 2% decline in value and a 14% drop in volume in 2018.

California valencia orange crop on par with past season

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting the California valencia orange crop at 19 million 40-pound cartons.

Dave Medders joins Sun Pacific as VP of sales

Sun Pacific, Pasadena, Calif., has hired Dave Medders as vice president of sales.

Mexican citrus exports to increase, USDA reports

Mexican citrus production and trade should increase this year, a new report predicts.

USDA announces plans to purchase $4.5 million in fresh oranges

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will purchase $4.5 million of fresh oranges for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.

California citrus growers to watch for damage after cold night

Citrus growers in California’s Central Valley will be checking for possible damage in the coming weeks as some areas saw temperatures drop to as low as 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

California citrus growers to watch for damage after cold night

Citrus growers in California’s Central Valley will be checking for possible damage in the coming weeks as some areas saw temperatures drop to as low as 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Volume up, sizing down for California citrus crops

California growers are expected to produce 80 million cartons of navel oranges during the 2018-19 season, according to estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s an 11% increase over last year.

Volume up, sizing down for California citrus crops
Volume up, sizing down for California citrus crops

California growers are expected to produce 80 million cartons of navel oranges during the 2018-19 season, according to estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s an 11% increase over last year.

Big increase in Florida citrus volume
Big increase in Florida citrus volume

Florida’s orange volume should be about 77 million 90-pound box equivalents, most of which will go to processing, said Andrew Meadows, director of communications for Lakeland-based Florida Citrus Mutual.

Winter citrus volume picking up after slow start
Winter citrus volume picking up after slow start

Volume should be up in most U.S. citrus-growing areas this season compared to last year, and despite challenges in some areas, growers say they’re shipping some good-quality fruit.

California citrus sees lowest temps of the season

California citrus growers saw the coldest temperatures of the season as the new year started, but preparations staved off any damage that would have occurred.

California citrus growers avoid freeze damage

Temperatures in California’s Central Valley dipped as low as 27 degrees recently, but no damage is expected and orange growers say the cold can lead to better flavor and fruit quality.

Heirloom navels are in season
Heirloom navels now in season

Fowler, Calif.-based Bee Sweet Citrus is touting the availability of heirloom navels until June.

Florida Citrus Mutual hires Matt Joyner
Florida Citrus Mutual hires Matt Joyner

Florida Citrus Mutual has hired Matt Joyner as director of government relations.

Sweet Bee Citrus varieties arrive for holiday season

Holiday dinners nationwide can get a spike of brightness amid the gray chill when more temperate, sunny areas ship winter citrus.

Florida university designs tool to help control postbloom citrus drop
Florida university designs tool to help control postbloom citrus drop

The University of Florida has developed a system designed to help growers know the best times to spray fungicides on their citrus trees in order to minimize a disease called postbloom fruit drop.

USDA estimate reflects optimism for Florida oranges
USDA estimate reflects optimism for Florida oranges

Projections for Florida citrus show a rebound is expected this season after Hurricane Irma devastated agriculture in the state last year.

USDA lowers Florida orange estimate slightly

The U.S. Department of Agriculture adjusted its estimate for the Florida orange crop to 77 million boxes, down 3% from October.

Florida citrus growers ask for changes to sell more fruit
Florida citrus growers ask for changes to sell more fruit

Florida citrus growers are asking for approval to lower size and grade standards to sell more on the fresh market.

DiSilva Fruit to ship heirloom navels
DiSilva Fruit to ship heirloom navels

DiSilva Fruit, Chelsea, Mass., is adding heirloom navels to its citrus lineup.

Lone Star Citrus Growers offers newsletters

Lone Star Citrus Growers, McAllen, Texas, is introducing a bi-monthly newsletter to provide resources to buyers.

Sunkist’s season includes 40-plus citrus varieties

With a new California citrus season, Sunkist has new packaging, merchandising displays and promotion programs.

Limoneira’s Halloween-themed doughnuts aren’t scary
Limoneira’s Halloween-themed doughnuts aren’t scary

Limoneira, which partners with chefs, nutritionists, green cleaning experts and others who help the brand maximize its messages to consumers, is highlighting fall snack ideas.

Bee Sweet Citrus ready as California season begins
Bee Sweet Citrus ready as California season begins

With California’s citrus season starting, Bee Sweet Citrus has a positive outlook with numerous varieties ready for retailers.

California citrus growers anticipate good 2018-19 season
California citrus growers anticipate good 2018-19 season

California citrus suppliers and marketers say they will have ample volumes to market in the fall, even if the numbers fall a bit short of last year.

After enduring pestilence and a deadly hurricane, Florida’s orange growers are finally catching a break.
Florida's Orange Crop Bouncing Back

Orange production in Florida has been dwindling for years thanks to the scourge of the Asian citrus psyllid. Last year, the industry also suffered a blow from Hurricane Irma. But there's a hint of optimism this year.

Florida researchers use fungus in HLB fight

Research at the University of Florida on citrus greening disease isn’t focused solely on helping trees fight the disease. Researchers also are attacking the source: the Asian citrus psyllid that spreads the disease.

Florida researchers use fungus in HLB fight
Florida researchers use fungus in HLB fight

Research at the University of Florida on citrus greening disease isn’t focused solely on helping trees fight the disease. Researchers also are attacking the source: the Asian citrus psyllid that spreads the disease.

Millennials finding foothold at Bee Sweet Citrus

Millennials are rapidly gaining ground in the workforce, with more than a third of American employees falling into the 22-36 age range, according to Pew Research data cited by Bee Sweet Citrus.

Duda adds Dandy brand cara caras this summer
Duda adds Dandy brand cara caras this summer

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Oviedo, Fla., is entering its 16th season of imported citrus, adding cara caras to the Dandy-brand line.

Senators ask for more funds to battle HLB

U.S. senators from both parties from citrus-producing states are asking the Senate Agriculture Committee to include $125 million in the farm bill for citrus greening research.

The Asian citrus psyllid spreads huanglongbing (HLB), which renders citrus unmarketable.
Senators ask for more funds to battle HLB

U.S. senators from both parties from citrus-producing states are asking the Senate Agriculture Committee to include $125 million in the farm bill for citrus greening research.

Marketers say lemon quality is good this season, though supplies are lighter than last year.
Lemons, oranges, mandarins shine in summer promos

While the availability of variety citrus is spurring more options for retailers, the summer citrus deal is about to get a big ray of sunny, yellow supplies: long-awaited Argentinean lemons have started to arrive.

Summer Citrus From South Africa offers Sweet Summer Sweepstakes
Summer Citrus From South Africa offers Sweet Summer Sweepstakes

Citrusdal, South Africa-based Summer Citrus From South Africa has a new promotion aimed at encouraging young families to eat healthy during the summer.

Increased Chilean citrus exports mean plenty for promos
Increased Chilean citrus exports mean plenty for promos

Crop prospects and promotion opportunities are looking up for Chilean citrus in 2018.

California’s citrus industry is how big?

California’s citrus industry has a $7.12 billion economic impact, according to a study commissioned by the Citrus Research Board.

California’s citrus industry is how big?
California’s citrus industry is how big?

California’s citrus industry has a $7.12 billion economic impact, according to a study commissioned by the Citrus Research Board.

Strong summer expected for South African citrus
Strong summer expected for South African citrus

Buyers should see another strong South African citrus crop this summer, with navels arriving a little late, but with promotable volumes.

Free trade group highlights tariff effects on California

A group that has been critical of Trump administration tariffs, and counter-tariffs from China  on U.S. exports, is sponsoring an event looking at how they affect California exports.

Free trade group highlights tariff effects on California
Free trade group highlights tariff effects on California

A group that has been critical of Trump administration tariffs, and counter-tariffs from China  on U.S. exports, is sponsoring an event looking at how they affect California exports.

Despite drought, South Africa summer citrus volumes to rise
Despite drought, South Africa summer citrus volumes to rise

Faced with a drought that threatened residential water supplies in the Western Cape, Summer Citrus from South Africa says technology, innovation and best practices ensured citrus growers will have a prosperous season.

California has a 5-point plan to attack HLB
California has a 5-point plan to attack HLB

A California committee that focuses on fighting pests and diseases that threaten citrus crops has developed a strategic plan to fight huanglongbing (HLB) with five priorities guiding its focus.