Limoneira Co. will see an increase in citrus volume of about 45% in 2021-22 thanks to gains in bearing acreage and grower additions, said Alex Teague, chief operating officer for the Santa Paula, Calif.-based marketer.
Specialty citrus variety volume is about 20% for Limoneira compared with a year ago, Teague said.
Limoneira is increasing its marketing budget by 18% this season, he said, noting that marketing messages will focus on health themes.
For the industry, Teague said the drought and water shortage in California have stressed fruit and increased cost by an estimated 15%, Teague said. The industry will see shorter navel and mandarin volumes overall.
Shippers hope to see logistic challenges of the past year begin to ease and normalize, Teague said.
