Fort Pierce, Fla.-based DLF International expects grapefruit into April and Valencia juice oranges through mid-July. The company also expects tangerines through middle of April and Honey Bells into mid-February, said DLF President Doug Feek.
DLF is looking to grow its volume through land purchases and rebranding, he said.
“We’ve purchased 700 new acres of grapefruit, which doubled our grapefruit production. We also purchased another 1,000 acres of Valencia juice oranges,” Feek said. “DLF has started work on rebranding and expects to be done by the end of this season.”
“Right now, we are looking for promotion on juice oranges and grapefruit,” Feek said.
Feek has recognized several differences between this season and last season, noting that the pandemic has played a major role. He said, last year with the pandemic, business was brisker than this year, which is stable but a bit slower. Still, while volume is down slightly, there’s plenty of fruit, Feek said.
Also, last year the USDA had a purchase program on juice oranges but not this year, Feek said.
