Seald Sweet looks for peak supply of Moroccan nardocott mandarins in February and March

Vero Beach, Fla.-based Seald Sweet expects peak supply of Moroccan nardocott mandarins in February and March, said Peter Anderson, citrus commodity manager.

Seald Sweet, with origins as a citrus grower cooperative in 1909, offers conventional citrus and a wide variety of products from around the world.

Weather has been a surprise this year, Anderson said, with California’s heavy rains and harvest delays putting demand pressure on alternative supplies from Morocco for the midwinter to late spring months on both mandarins and oranges. 

Retailers can maximize sales in a variety of ways, he said.

“Not only physical display is important, but positioning the product online for e-commerce on the retailer platform is important," Anderson said. “Product positioning, keyword search and product boost are key resources to promote citrus.”

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In addition, pairing citrus with other produce is a way of promoting and merchandising citrus year-round, he said.

“One good way of merchandising citrus is explaining to the consumers the different varieties,” he said. For example, explaining the difference between navels and valencias, and describing the attributes of varieties like cara caras, can be helpful to consumers.

“It is good to give consumers more information on what they are buying,” he said.  

In the past, Seald Sweet has placed orange juice stations at the retail level, and Anderson said that was a good way of sampling and promoting products with an appealing display.

“Working with associations like Summer Citrus from South Africa or Fruits from Chile has helped a lot,” he said. “They have developed a structure with retail partners; they have POS displays and recipes.” 

A coupon kiosk has been something Seald Sweet has tried in the past and is another tool that can increase sales.

“Customers printed a coupon in-store or had one sent to them via loyalty programs,” he said.

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Seald Sweet also has participated in online-themed events promoting its products during the year — for example, “back to school” or “healthy snacking” programs.

The marketer offers private-label options to its retail customers, using its modern packing facility in New Jersey.  

Sustainable packaging is a point of emphasis for Seald Sweet, Anderson said.

“As part of our sustainable journey and as a global leader in the industry, we have the commitment to use 100% recyclable packaging by 2025,” he said. “We have introduced this year a 100% recyclable bag for clementines using HDPE plastic in both net and film. Also, we rolled out a kraft film, which uses 75% less plastic and has a vintage and natural look and feel.”

Anderson said retailers are setting up ambitious sustainability goals, which is likely to yield more industry progress.

“In addition to this, consumers seek more and more sustainable options for products they buy every day,” he said. "Therefore, we are rethinking our way to pack our products in the way consumers like by switching to more eco-friendly alternative.”