Wonderful Citrus looks for strong season in Texas

With less fruit available to sell and surging consumer demand, the Texas citrus market will remain strong throughout the season, according to Cory Oliver, senior category director of the Texas division of Wonderful Citrus.

Early movement of the company’s domestic 2020-21 Texas crop has been good, Oliver said Nov. 13. Domestic shipments began in early October, he said, and exports said will begin about mid-November with limited volumes, Oliver said.

Oliver said Wonderful Citrus will continue its Texas deal through the end of April.

Hurricane Hanna may have cut volume of the firm’s grapefruit crop by 20% to 30% in volume compared with a year ago, and sizing is similar to a year ago.

While the early orange crop is slightly down from last year, Oliver said new acreage of valencias will give Wonderful added volume to sell when the season starts in February compared with a year ago.

Peak availability is expected from December to mid-February.

The firm has invested in technology to maximize yields and minimize inputs, Oliver said.

“While Wonderful Citrus varieties are not organic, they are non-GMO and all groves and harvest crews are Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certified, the most stringent food safety certification available,” he said.

“We utilize drip irrigation and fan jets so our trees receive only as much water as they need, and we minimize pesticide use in favor of more environmentally safe alternatives.”