Broadly speaking, several citrus varieties in the United States are down in crop size this season. “However, internal qualities are expected to be really good,” says Dave Rooke with Wonderful Citrus. Within the US, California and Texas are the main citrus growing regions for the company. Looking at Texas grapefruit, the drought has impacted the size structure. However, it has also resulted in a very favorable internal quality. “It really is a tradeoff,” added Rooke. “While you never hope for a drought, it does result in high Brix levels and a very good eating quality.” As a result, the company is very excited for its Texas grapefruit season.
Wonderful Sweet Scarletts grapefruit.
In California, Wonderful’s mandarin varieties, sold under the Halos brand, are expected to offer good supplies from start to finish. “Like Texas grapefruit, internal qualities as well as eating experience should be very favorable.” Similar to mandarins, production of Navel oranges is also expected to be flat or up one percent this season. However, the Navel crop is seeing some damage as a result of problems with thrips. “While the eating quality hasn’t been affected, thrips have caused some defects on the surface of the fruit.” Out of all Wonderful’s citrus varieties, Navel oranges see the highest percentage being exported. “Time will tell what external quality the market will accept and if they will embrace some defects. We are fully transparent about it and have invited our partners from Korea, Japan, and China to come over and see the fruit for themselves,” said Rooke. “The damage is on the fruit now. It won’t get any worse, but that way, they know what to expect.”
Dave Rooke proudly showing Halo mandarins at IFPA's Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, California this past weekend.
Lemon supplies are down
The lemon market on the other hand is expected to be down about 30 percent in supplies. “In recent years, there has been an oversupply, but this season, the supply and demand are expected to be more in balance,” commented Rooke. “Overall, we think the market won’t feel a downward supply as much.” A game changing lemon product for Wonderful Citrus is the company’s seedless lemon variety. This year’s lighter crop has been offset with new plantings, which will result in a crop size similar to last year’s. “This is an example of how vertical integration gives us a significant advantage. Controlling the crop from the tree is what allows us to take varieties like the seedless lemon and commercialize them.”
Seedless lemons.
Wonderful seedless lemon opportunities
While seedless lemons are still a small subset of Wonderful’s lemon offering today, Rooke sees opportunities to grow the program in future. “Every year, new plantings come into production, and it is our goal to be a year-round supplier.” At the moment, seedless lemons are seasonally grown in California and a lot of acreage has been planted in Mexico, which will support expansion. “We also have unique opportunities in Monterey County that allow us to get a supply window when historically there isn’t a lot of lemon fruit in the market.” In addition to becoming a year-round supplier, Rooke also sees export opportunities for seedless lemons in future.
For more information:
Lauren Cleaner
Wonderful Citrus
Tel: +1 (424) 361-4847
[email protected]
www.wonderfulcitrus.com