Citrus
Sustainability has benefits in production and in marketing, growers say.
The area under citrus cultivation in South Africa has grown steadily over the past decade, pushed ahead by ongoing investments on relatively high earnings from export markets.
December’s USDA crop production report reflected the damaging effects of Hurricane Ian in late September and Hurricane Nicole in early November on Florida’s citrus crop.
After frost cut short the 2022 crop, Chilean citrus production and exports should bounce back in a big way in 2023, a new USDA report predicts.
A pair of California-based organizations were recently awarded $1 million to establish a new, federally funded citrus breeding program in Parlier, Calif.
With the exception of lemons, the volume of the California citrus crop is up this season, said Zak Laffite, president of Wonderful Citrus.
The USDA’s January crop production report knocked down Florida orange and grapefruit estimates compared with the December forecast.
Bassetti’s promotion follows the appointment of Sammy Duda as the new CEO of A. Duda and Sons, parent company of Duda Farm Fresh Foods.
U.S. citrus exports dropped 14% in the period from December 2021 through November 2022 but citrus imports surged 15%, according to USDA trade numbers.
Grapefruit, however, has seen a big decline in per capita fresh availability, dropping from about 4.9 pounds in 2000 to just 1.4 pounds in 2019, USDA statistics show.
Cautious consumers continue to place value in healthy food options, such as citrus, as economic pressures cause some to reconsider their purchasing decisions.
Florida citrus production was staggered by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole last fall, but those setbacks are temporary, says Steven Callaham, CEO of Dundee Citrus Growers Association.
Healthy eating continues to be top-of-mind for shoppers, and Sunkist citrus offerings are in a prime position to meet the demands of consumers, says Christina Ward, senior director of global marketing at Sunkist.
Recent rain in California has been fantastic for the long-term interest of growers, said Casey Creamer, president and CEO of California Citrus Mutual.
As shoppers dial in on resolutions for the new year, the Fowler, Calif.-based company is encouraging consumers to look to heirloom navels as a healthy addition to their diet.
Doral, Fla.-based PJ Citrus continues to grow its business with a variety of citrus options and a focus on customer service, says Julyann Borges, president.
Organic citrus volume is up for Reedley, Calif.-based Valliwide Organics, says Mason Parkinson, owner.
Sales Manager Keith Wilson noted a strong demand for blood oranges this season, an improvement after lighter demand for that variety in the last couple of years.
Demand for fresh citrus is strong for Toronto, Canada-based Fresh Taste Produce, says Tara Glazer, marketing director.
The New Jersey-based company anticipates growth in both supply and demand, with its citrus category expected to increase in volume, says Steve Stackhouse, director of operations.
Lone Star Citrus is having a bounce-back year.
For the first time, mandarins are getting the limelight for USDA food program purchases.
While the weather has slowed California’s organic citrus harvest, promotion opportunities will be plentiful in the weeks and months ahead, says Elise Smith, marketing manager for Homegrown Organic Farms.
Weather has been a surprise this year, with California’s heavy rains and harvest delays putting demand pressure on alternative supplies from Morocco for the midwinter to late spring months on mandarins and oranges.
The USDA will conduct a referendum April 3-May 1 on proposed amendments to the federal marketing order regulating the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pummelos grown in Florida.
The company is the exclusive sales and marketing team for Benzler Farms and markets the Benzler Farms brand of navel and valencia oranges, grapefruit, lemons and mandarins.
Bee Sweet Citrus is reporting a strong supply of lemons, cara cara navel oranges and blood oranges this year in time for spring holiday promotions.
Florida’s orange production estimate was knocked down again in the USDA’s February report.
The USDA predicts U.S. citrus output will decline from 11.2 billion pounds in 2022 to 9.8 billion pounds in 2032.
The Valencia, Calif.-based cooperative is celebrating its 130th anniversary with Sunkist Citrus Day on March 1 — a day officially registered in the National Day Calendar.