Organic citrus in California might see a slightly later start to its season. For Creekside Organics, which partnered with Capay Organic in January 2021, it’s in the midst of converting more than 100 acres of land from conventional land to organic land in Porterville, California along with the land Capay Organic is farming on in Yolo County.
“This year we will have organic mandarins, a bit of conventional Meyer lemons and conventional Cara Caras and conventional Blood Oranges as we’re transitioning that land,” says Ashley Berlinger, business development manager/sales representative for Creekside Organics, Inc. Those items are all part of Creekside’s bigger organic citrus line up that should be complete by 2025 and will include organic Cara Caras, organic blood oranges, organic lemons, organic navel oranges, organic Meyer lemons, organic mandarins and organic finger limes. “We’re growing our program and consolidating it to be a one-stop shop. We are also getting our Fair Trade certification.”
The late start comes due to the heat and awaiting cooler nights. “We’ll be one of the first to market with our organic Satsumas because we’re further north in Yolo County,” says Berlinger, noting the season on that item should start mid-November. Libson Lemons will also begin around that time, Meyer lemons will start in mid-January and then conventional Cara Caras and Blood Oranges will start in late January-early February.
Lower volumes
However, the supply of mandarins, navels and lemons will be down across the industry thanks to thrip damage. “We will still see a competitive market though with so much land transitioning in the last five years,” adds Berlinger. In addition to less fruit, Fancy grade fruit will have more limited availability with more Choice grade fruit expected. “There’s going to be a lot of demand for bagged navel, bagged lemons and bagged Cara Caras to move volume. This way we’re getting good returns to the growers and not leaving anything in the orchards.”
Meeting that lower supply will be strong demand which should exceed supply. “Everyone’s hearing that the yields are going to be down,” says Berlinger. “The holiday season is also when people are thinking about vitamin C and health and in January, there’s the resolution push.” Meanwhile, holiday cocktails should help push foodservice demand for lemons and limes.
Consumption of specialty citrus also does seem to be growing. “There’s demand for more variety. Sweetness is at the forefront but the acid to brix ratio is important too. So it’s having that crisp bite with the fruit that doesn’t just taste like sugar water,” says Berlinger, adding that marketing efforts around Cara Caras for example as a pink orange and branding citrus is also helping get consumers excited about the category.
As for pricing, it’s expected to be strong on Fancy-grade fruit and overall, strong FOBs are expected for the season. “There will be a lot of choice navels, lemons, Meyers and Caras in the industry--there will be more flexibility on that fruit for sure,” says Berlinger.
For more information:
Ashley Berlinger
Creekside Organics
Tel: +1 (661) 859-0346
https://www.creeksideorganics.net/