The supply of organic mandarins from California is still good. "Everybody is trying to pick what they have program business for. The wholesale market and the export market is a little bit shaky though," says Mason Parkinson of Valliwide Marketing Inc.
Right now, the company has moved into harvesting Tango mandarins. The final variety for the season is the Murcott variety and harvest will begin on those in about three weeks.
Overall the crop is a sizable one this year from California. The early season fruit such as the Page mandarins, were on the smaller side which was unusual. However, Tangos are on the larger side.
As for demand for organic mandarins, it's steady. "You always wish demand exceeded supply but fruit quality is good and it's eating really well so repeat business is steady," says Parkinson.
Parkinson says plenty of fruit will still be available in promotable volumes for the next several weeks.
Pricing to move volume
All of this leaves pricing a bit softer than last year at this time–not surprising given this year's crop is heavier than last year's. "Everybody knew they were going to have to be more aggressive in pricing to move the volume. So back to the farm, we're still hoping for returns similar to last year," says Parkinson.
That said, the wholesale market is more price competitive with that strong supply.
Looking ahead, Parkinson says plenty of fruit will still be available in promotable volumes for the next seven to eight weeks.
Growers are also already watching the next citrus crop for California. "The stone fruit and almond blooms are a bit early this year by about five to seven days so I wouldn't be surprised if we see blooms on the citrus earlier than last year too," says Parkinson, adding that growing conditions are already looking spring-like.
For more information:
Mason Parkinson
Valliwide Organics
Tel: +1 (559) 638-5595
https://www.vworganic.com/