Citrus grower-shippers provide updates on season, volumes, sizing

Here’s a look at what some citrus suppliers have in store this summer.

Bee Sweet Citrus, Fowler, Calif., plans to offer valencia oranges and blood oranges from California; mandarins, navel oranges and cara navels from Chile; and domestic and imported lemons, said salesman Jason Sadoian.

“Our team anticipates that the quality of our summer citrus line will be excellent,” he said.

The Chilean Citrus Committee, Santiago, is forecasting 176,000 tons of clementines and mandarins this season compared to 143,168 tons in 2019, said Karen Brux, managing director of the San Carlos, Calif.-based Chilean Fresh Fruit Association.

Clementines were expected to enter the market in early May followed by mandarins. A consistent supply of easy peelers should be available through October, she said.

Lemon volume will be similar to 2019, with fruit available May through October. Navel volume is expected to be down slightly from June through October. 

New Limeco LLC, Princeton, Fla., will have plenty of lemons and limes this summer, said Eddie Caram, general manager. The company imports citrus from Mexico and Honduras.

“There’s always an increase in sales and an increase in production in summer because Mexico is in their heaviest production,” he said.

Seald Sweet International, Vero Beach, Fla., should receive Primasole clementines from Peru by the third week of May, said Gray Vinson, commodity manager. The early crop should increase 20%-25% over last year. South Africa and Chile should follow shortly.

Late mandarins from South Africa will increase 10% to 20% over last year by late September through October.

Clementines from South Africa will be available from the third week of May, winding down in August before the late varieties come on.

Seald Sweet will have lower volume and small sizes of early clementines from Chile because of drought and high temperatures likely not arriving before June

“Very good” quality navel oranges from South Africa will arrive around the Fourth of July, Vinson said. Chilean navels should arrive by mid-July.

Seven Seas, Visalia, Calif., a division of Tom Lange Co. Inc., Springfield, Ill., will offer California valencia oranges, grapefruit and lemons this summer for a one-stop shop, said Brent Young, manager of sales.

On the import side, the company will offer navel oranges, midknight oranges, mandarins, lemons and star ruby grapefruit, said Miles Fraser-Jones, director of global business development.

The company will source offshore product from South Africa, Chile and Peru.

Sunkist Growers Inc., Valencia, Calif., had lemons, California star ruby grapefruit, valencia oranges and limes in late April, said Christina Ward, director of global brand marketing.

Sunkist grapefruit, lemons and limes are accessible year-round, while valencia oranges are a summertime exclusive and will peak in mid-June, she said.

Lemons and grapefruit volume are up, while valencia oranges are up slightly.

Wonderful Citrus, Delano, Calif., will have mandarins from Uruguay, Peru, Chile, South Africa and Australia this summer, said senior director Chris Cockle.

Lemons from Argentina will start by early June.

Navel volume from Chile will be down 10%, and there will be a good balance of large and small navels from South Africa, both starting in late June, he said.