Growers and importers say supplies of good-quality citrus should be plentiful this summer from offshore growers in Chile and South Africa as well as from California’s domestic crop. Some major players have also made changes that could bolster their summer citrus programs.
Valencia, Calif.-based Sunkist Growers Inc. has welcomed Santa Paula, Calif.-based Limoneira Co. back into the cooperative, says Cassie Howard, senior director of category management and marketing. The move will strengthen Sunkist’s lemon program and expand its ability to deliver consistent supply and service to customers, she says.
“This is especially important as lemon demand naturally increases heading into spring and summer, helping ensure strong availability during a key seasonal period for the category,” Howard says.
Vineland, N.J.-based Consalo Family Farms is expanding its import program with increased volume from South Africa, Chile and Peru to support new business and expanded retail programs, says Casey Kio, executive vice president of global business for the grower, whose product is marketed and packed by its FreshWave Fruit and Produce division.
“This growth reflects both strong demand and our ability to execute across the full supply chain,” Kio says.
Fowler, Calif.-based Fowler Packing Co. Inc. has become a major citrus importer and plans to offer a wide range of citrus items from South Africa, Chile and Peru, says Kevin Carroll, director of imports.
“We’ve been growing tremendously for the past five years,” Carroll says, and imports are expected to increase in 2026.
Fowler Packing grows on 25,000 acres in California and, in the citrus category, offers mandarins, oranges and specialty fruit during the domestic season.
Offshore sourcing allows the grower-shipper to offer a seamless transition from California to overseas growing areas and enables the company to offer its Peelz-branded citrus year-round, Carroll says.
Seasons of Abundant Choice
Citrus options are copious during the late spring and summer.
Sunkist’s product line includes lemons, valencia oranges and California-grown grapefruit, Howard says. Good volume is anticipated this summer with valencia oranges expected to show increased tree volume with larger fruit sizes, she says. Grapefruit supplies will remain strong throughout the season. Growing conditions have been mixed, she says, with a warmer winter and spring across California.
“While that can create variability in timing, we’ve maintained strong movement throughout the season, helping support overall fruit quality,” Howard says. “As we move into summer, we expect solid quality across our citrus offerings.”
The summer citrus lineup from Consalo Family Farms will include oranges, mandarins, lemons, grapefruit, minneolas and cara cara oranges, Kio says.
The import program begins in May, builds through June and peaks during the summer months with another boost for back-to-school promotions, she says.
Early clementines will be tight through May and early June because Peru is sending more product to Europe and Latin America, limiting initial availability in North America, Kio says.
“Sizing is expected to skew slightly larger, supporting both bulk and bag programs,” she explains. “With proper planning, retailers should still be well positioned to promote effectively.”
Fowler Packing expects “strong, consistent quality” from South Africa, where loading began in early May, Carroll says.
Products from that growing area include navel oranges, cara cara oranges, lemons and clementines. Some U.S. arrivals were due in mid-June, and clementines should arrive by July 1. The company doesn’t import early-season mandarins. Fowler Packing planned to start loading clementines and other items out of Chile in mid-May.
“We focus on high-Brix, seedless fruit,” he says. “We’re happy with what we’re seeing in the field right now.”
Murcotts from Peru will arrive in June.
Fruit is unloaded on both the West Coast and the East Coast to better serve customers, Carroll says.
Besides its import program, the company will offer California lemons this summer from the coastal and the desert growing regions.
Holiday Opportunity
Retailers can take advantage of the summer holidays, like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, to boost citrus sales, importers say.
“Citrus naturally fits into these occasions — from grilling and marinades to beverages like cocktails and mocktails — making it a versatile category for summer entertaining,” Howard says. “We typically see the strongest citrus volume of the summer during the Fourth of July period.”
Consalo Family Farms expects a seasonal lift tied to Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day, Kio says, “with a particularly strong boost around the Fourth of July as consumers look for refreshing, healthy options for summer gatherings.”
