The Mexican citrus season is starting off strong with good supplies of Honey Murcott tangerines. “We’re going to be up about 15 percent over last year on the Murcotts,” says GT Parris of Seald Sweet, who notes supplies will go likely into early March. “This program has really taken off in the last couple of years.”
Parris attributes that partly to the fruit that’s being produced by Mexico. They’re typically larger sizes running in the 120, 100, 80 and 64 range which is different than the smaller California mandarins which tend to be 150 and 120. “Mexico has also had good enough weather to produce good color so it’s fully orange with full flavor,” he says, noting fruit comes in via Nogales, Texas. “They’ve gotten in tune with the American market and know people will pay for good quality fruit.”
Indeed, it’s possible there will be increased demand for Mexican citrus given the effects the recent hurricanes have had on Florida fruit, recent cold temperatures in Texas and rain in California. Though Parris notes that the fruit California produces tends to hit different markets at different price points.
Pricing post-LNY
As for pricing, it’s good right now and Parris anticipates it will hold. “Though after Lunar New Year, you’ll see a bit of a drop because that’s when you’ll usually see good demand,” he says. “That’s also when you’re getting more fruit. It only drops off $1 or so. So far, it’s similar pricing to last year. We’d like to keep it in the mid to high $20s.”
Towards the end of the month, Valencia oranges will also begin production in Mexico and those will ship until April. Parris notes that these oranges take on the characteristics of the fruit from different markets--they have the juice of a Florida orange but they’re also a cleaner piece of fruit like out of California. “It’s the best of both worlds and that’s going to be a good market this year,” he says.
For more information:
G.T. Parris
Seald Sweet
Tel: +1 (772) 569-2244
[email protected]
www.sealdsweet.com