Production has begun in Ojai, California on Ojai Pixie tangerines. "It's a big crop this year–we're looking at maybe the second-largest crop we've had here," says Emily Ayala of Friend's Ranches.
There are a few reasons why the crop is sizable this year, starting with the fact that the last two winters have been rainier in the region. Southern California is also coming out of a 10-year drought that left the trees relatively stressed and some underwatered. "Then the trees got water in the winter of 2023 and they really responded a year later," says Ayala.
© Friend's Ranches
Pixie tangerines are also an extremely alternate-bearing crop. "Pixies and pistachios are some of the most alternate-bearing trees that botanists know about," says Ayala, adding that it has worked with the University of California, Riverside to try and mitigate the alternate bearing. "However, tangerines are also very late-season and then bloom during harvest. So they've got two loads of fruit on them at the same time. Our trees are starting to bloom right now for next year and we already know next year will be a light year."
As part of the ample crop, this year is also seeing great eating quality on the tangerines. "That is why we grow them–in the Ojai Valley, we really grow for flavor and it's a better tasting, eating out-of-hand citrus item than most growing regions in the U.S.," Ayala adds.
Longer season?
This season, picking began on time in the last week of February. While some rains have slowed down the harvest at times, it's much needed. Depending on how movement is on the big crop, supply could last until June–about a month past the historical finish for the season.
© Friend's Ranches
As for demand, it has been strong so far. "We just filled everybody up and now we're getting reorders," Ayala says.
On pricing, last year the smaller crop meant prices were stronger. This year, prices are lower, though largely because the fruit is smaller with less large fruit. (Though large fruit is still priced higher than small fruit.) "We have been selling all sizes. We work a lot with the school programs so there's demand for the smaller sizes there and with some foodservice customers," says Ayala.
That said, retailers interested in smaller sizes are asking for bagged fruit which is more costly this year. While that's partly due to California labor costs, it's also due to packaging expenses. "We're getting packaging from China and the tariffs are making packaging more expensive," says Ayala. "That's a big hang-up. As growers, we've tried to move away from packaging but if you put something in a shiny, beautiful package, people will often buy more."
For more information:
Emily Ayala
Friend's Ranches/Ojai Pixie Growers
Tel: +1 (805) 646-2871
friends@friendsranches.com
www.friendsranches.com