Peak promotion opportunities will run through March for Orange Cove, Calif.-based Cecelia Packing Corp., says Keith Wilson, sales manager.
“We had a slow start to the season on a few varieties, but demand has picked up,” he said. “We are in peak supply from January through March.”
Wilson noted strong demand for blood oranges this season, an improvement after lighter demand for that variety in the last couple of years.
For retailers, continued focus on both bulk and bagged fruit, with a good selection of varietals, will help to drive sales, Wilson said. “The best values will be in the months of January and February.”
In January and February, Cecelia Packing Corp. will feature conventional navel oranges, blood oranges, cara cara oranges and minneola tangelos.
“The options will narrow in the month of March, and we will be down to just navel oranges from April onward,” Wilson said.
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The star ruby grapefruit also is new to its program this season, he said.
While the lack of water has been a big concern for growers, Wilson said recent rain has alleviated some of those near-term worries.
“Another real concern is the rising cost of doing business, which is squeezing the bottom line,” Wilson said. “Marketing and planning for citrus promotions used to be based on historical prices. Right now, to stay in business you have to throw out history! You have to be selling for more money, or you simply can’t stay in business.”
In terms of packaging, Wilson said Cecelia Packing Corp. is finding great success with its Daumar bagging system.
