Lemons
Suppliers are prioritizing value and convenience in this increasingly popular packaging.
While the fruits have their peak season, these factors help maintain steady demand throughout the year.
Despite ongoing supply-side issues, the demand side of citrus is looking strong, with growing demand from a health-focused consumer audience, all it takes is thoughtful and creative strategies from suppliers and collaboration with retail.
Industry leaders and multigenerational farmers call for a rebalanced trade policy as shifting global tonnage and phytosanitary changes turn a trickle of foreign fruit into a flood.
These new standards, which are open for comments on the Federal Register’s website, include a definition for the term “seedless lemons” and hope to provide consumers with a consistent eating experience.
Limoneira, a founding member of the citrus marketing cooperative, will remain as an independent business entity, but Sunkist will manage fresh citrus sales and marketing Nov. 1.
The company says its Southern Hemisphere grower partners will provide good supplies through the season.
The fruit import-export company reviews global supply outlooks, including the impact of U.S. tariffs.
Marketers say retailers should consider cross-promoting the versatile citrus to build demand during peak season.
Expanding per capita consumption, increasing imports and moderate retail growth in sales point to a strong category, data and industry leaders indicate.
As one of the largest lemon suppliers in California, Sunkist is expanding its program offerings, adding multiple organic lemon growers this season to meet consumer and customer demand for year-round supply.
As Apeel’s first fully integrated lemon supplier in the U.S., Limoneira will significantly expand availability of Apeel-protected lemons domestically and internationally.
A quality crop is expected despite earlier weather woes, though sizing could be affected in some cases.
Sunkist Growers is using content on the social media platform, popular among millennial and Generation Z consumers, and its Sunkist Unlimited campaign to promote the in-season fruit as a versatile, affordable option.
Seald Sweet/Greenyard USA will present limited-edition packaging for lemons at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show.
Wonderful Citrus, which recently marked its fifth season with Wonderful Seedless Lemons, says it’s focused on providing retail partners and consumers with a consistent supply of its high-quality fruit.
“Overall, the crops are moving along nicely, and due to the additional days of rain we experienced, we expect a larger size structure in the coming months,” says Christina Ward, senior director of global marketing.
Along with new display bins in its marketing efforts, the company has launched a digital campaign with culinary-led creative to generate brand affinity and emphasize the ease of cooking and baking with no seeds.
Retail per capita availability of fresh lemons jumped from 3.3 pounds in 2011 to 4.7 pounds in 2020, a gain of 42% during that time, according to USDA statistics.
The company is celebrating the recent Equitable Food Initiative certification of its facility in Reedley, Calif., as its winter citrus program gets underway.
Santa Paula, Calif.-based Limoneira Co. reported financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended Oct. 31 that reflected improved lemon pricing compared with a year ago.
Starting with sunny displays, brighten the shopper’s basket with more lemons.
The addition of Ventura Pacific Co., a cooperative that growers 6,000 acres of lemons, will double Wonderful Citrus’ supply of conventional lemons.
This information, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, shows week-by-week shipments and f.o.b.s for commodities from shipments for the fresh market.
LGS Specialty Sales, New Rochelle, N. Y., kicked off its summer citrus with lemons from Argentina and Chile.
Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Oviedo, Fla., is starting its South American citrus import program.
Limoneira Co., Santa Paula, Calif., kicks off its Peelin’ Good — The Zest is Yet to Come Tour — on Sept. 1, a virtual coast-to-coast trip with stops in 18 cities and visits with influencers.