Organic shipments began in mid-October for South Tex Organics, according to owner Dennis Holbrook of the Mission, Texas-based grower-shipper.
“Demand has been good and consistent, and sizing is a little better on grapefruit this year than what we had last year,” he said.
The company, which has been shipping organic citrus for 36 years, was also starting organic oranges and meyer lemons in November, he said.
Damage from Hurricane Hanna varies depending on location, and Holbrook said South Tex Organics fared okay.
“We’re are about 75 to 80 miles inland from the coast, and so by the time it got to us, it wasn’t as brutal and we didn’t suffer as much fruit loss.
Holbrook said the firm could have a little more organic grapefruit this year, and orange volume will be similar to a year ago.
Demand for citrus is strong, and even more so because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
“I think the prospects for the this coming season are very,very good.”
South Texas labor has been tight but Holbrook doesn’t anticipate issues with harvesting the citrus crop this season.
Harvest and shipments of organic citrus will run through March and into April.
