Lemon sizing to benefit from added rain, Sunkist says

With a reliable supply of both conventional and organic lemons, Sunkist Growers is ready to support customers with relevant marketing programs and drive U.S.-grown lemon consumption.  

“Overall, the crops are moving along nicely, and due to the additional days of rain we experienced, we expect a larger size structure in the coming months,” said Christina Ward, senior director of global marketing at Sunkist Growers, Valencia, Calif.

With the warm days of spring and summer ahead, lemons are a great commodity for retailers to promote, she said.

Lemons are a culinary “superstar” because they can be used in many recipes as a mighty flavor booster, she said. Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C and can be a simple alternative for salt without sacrificing flavor, Ward said.

“Between April through July, we have customizable programs for both in-store and online shoppers,” Ward said.  “Since over 75% of lemon buyers purchase lemons for recipes, shoppable recipe promotions offer an excellent way to encourage purchase intent through recipe inspiration. With multiple holidays throughout the spring and summer seasons — including Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July — and beloved summer traditions, such as a cool glass of lemonade or light summer suppers, there are many ways to inspire and drive sales over the next few months.”

Sunkist supplies conventional lemons, meyer lemons, organic lemons and seedless lemons in its portfolio, grown by a multigenerational family of farmers.

“We are proud to be the longest-standing agricultural cooperative in the nation, with over 1,500 California and Arizona citrus farmers making up our membership,” Ward said, noting that Sunkist’s grower-members produce over 50% of lemons grown in the U.S. Lemons are a staple in many homes and throughout food service because they are incredibly versatile, she said.

“While their usage goes well beyond cooking — including for beauty, cleaning and overall wellness — we know through a Sunkist-commissioned study that most people buying lemons at the store are looking to use them in a recipe and two-thirds use lemons in their water,” Ward said.

Bag bounce

Ward said consumer demand is shifting toward bagged lemons, with bags representing over 40% of the volume sold.

“Additionally, comparing the 2023 season to date versus four years ago, bags are up over 50% in volume, and bulk is up 2%,” Ward said.

Sunkist is launching a new, limited-edition 2-pound lemon pouch as part of its collaboration with WildBrain’s animated Strawberry Shortcake series "Berry in the Big City," now available on YouTube and Netflix.

“We're offering eye-catching displays that put lemons center stage,” she said.

Retailers can spur lemon sales by using Sunkist secondary display bins to cross-promote lemons alongside complementary products such as seafood, liquor or baking ingredients, Ward said.

“Our quarter bins have an interactive QR code to educate consumers in-store on lemons' versatility while offering real-time recipe inspiration to drive demand,” she said.

 Ward said there has been a steady increase in lemon production in the California and Arizona growing regions over the past decade. Organic demand continues to increase, showing twice the growth of conventional lemons.

“This trend aligns with data indicating that today's consumers value knowing where their food is coming from and how it is grown," Ward said.

Foodservice rise

Ward said foodservice demand is increasing.

“The ongoing pattern of consumers venturing out to dine continues to be an encouraging sign for the food industry,” Ward said. “We saw strong demand for lemons over the holidays, and with spring and summer holidays right around the corner, we'll likely continue to see these favorable trends.”