Citrus
The total U.S. volume of oranges was projected at 60.3 million boxes, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service January forecast.
The trees only have been tested in greenhouses and in university labs so far, but plans call for expanding into field testing at the university within a year.
The company also is supporting its seedless lemons with an integrated marketing campaign that includes digital video, social media and influencer partnerships.
The grower-packer-shipper says it anticipates good volume through April for the fruit, known for its reddish magenta internal color and berry-like flavor.
Both the grower-shipper and cooperative will donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross and fresh citrus fruit to local food banks.
The consumer goods and food delivery company will deliver special limited-edition boxes with six Sumo citrus in New York and Los Angeles.
Aiming to make organics more accessible, the company says it designed the packs to target smaller households and waste-conscious consumers.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says the move seeks to prevent the spread of the bacterial infection to non-infested areas in the U.S.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture added more of the Mission Viejo area to the state’s huanglongbing quarantine.
In its third year, the grower cooperative’s initiative promotes citrus’ health benefits to drive traffic to produce departments.
New Georgia Sunnies brand helps local, small growers to bring citrus to market at select Kroger stores throughout Georgia.
The company says its next organic clementine varieties, including satsumas, are also “eating exceptionally well.”
While the majority of the newly quarantined area is residential, this restriction adds 0.4 acres of commercial citrus.
The cooperative’s advertising campaign emphasizes the efforts of its family of farms to make Sunkist a household name.
Growers in the main U.S. winter citrus production areas share reports from the field.