The import mandarin season is now in full swing. Fruit is arriving from South Africa, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. South African mandarins were the first to start landing, with Chile, Peru, and Uruguay right behind.
"In a good year with strong volume and no unforeseen weather issues, the Chilean mandarin season should run well into October for the last container arrivals," says John Magna of Trucco. "Chile's season usually extends further into the year than other imported mandarins."
This year, the industry expects a somewhat snug market due to predicted shorter availability. "With a short season expected, it will be interesting to see how the market plays out by mid-summer," says Magna.
Strength in bagged fruit
Currently, the market for bagged mandarins and clementines is strong. The strong pull from retailers, combined with the solid pull from produce markets across the country, indicates that if the season is limited, higher prices can be expected throughout the import season.
"Easy-peel citrus, which includes clementines, mandarins, tangerines, and tangelos, is set to surpass, if not already has surpassed, oranges as the most-consumed fresh citrus in the United States. They have become a citrus favorite," says Magna.
For more information:
John Magna
Trucco
[email protected]
www.truccodirect.com