Nature's Bounty Organic and Progressive Farms California Navels are in the final stretch of their summer vacation, and thanks to the abundant sunshine, the orange groves are ready for harvest. "The reduced thrip damage compared to last year is what stood out to me during our recent grove tours," said Andrew Mashler. "The fruit looks fantastic, and I'm excited about the increased volume of fancy-grade oranges available this season."
With a return to normal size profiles expected, Progressive is preparing for strong promotions in both the conventional and organic markets.
Progressive's organic lemons are also currently in the spotlight. "We started packing our Mexican organic lemons in early August, and the quality has been really nice," said Kyle Griffith. The size profile is currently on the smaller side, and a similar trend is expected with the upcoming California crop. "With organic oranges and grapefruit currently in limited supply, our organic 2-pound lemon bags are the top choice for September and October promotions. We've secured strong supplies and promotions with retailers who have embraced the organic lemon opportunity, and we plan to continue promoting organic lemons through the holiday season," Griffith added.
This year's unusual weather patterns in Mexico have impacted lime production more than usual.
The company's dedication to citrus has deep roots, dating back to 2005 when the company launched its lime and key lime program. "Our lime program has grown into a year-round offering for conventional and nearly year-round for organic," said Veronica Rodarte. "This reliability, even in challenging growing seasons, has earned us the loyalty of customers who have been with us since the beginning."
"This year's unusual weather patterns in Mexico have impacted lime production more than usual, but our ability to move the best quality available has played a crucial role in our customers' success," added Gabriel Andrade.
The company's citrus business has consistently grown each season, and this year is no exception. This fall, the company is set to increase its volume of organic oranges, lemons, and grapefruit, which are the core of its organic citrus lineup. Additionally, the company is expanding its offerings of conventional oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. "I'm continually impressed by how our team has grown and the value our year-round organic program is bringing to both retailers and grower partners," said VP of sales Cory Stahl. "We may not be the largest, but our values consistently resonate throughout the supply chain, leading us into more conventional programs as demand increases."
This year, Progressive has also teamed up with its sister company, Pacific Trellis Fruit, on imported oranges from both South America and South Africa. They plan to expand the program next summer.
For more information:
Dr. Oscar Guzman
Progressive Produce
Tel: +1 (323) 890-8100
[email protected]
www.progressiveproduce.com