BACK TO THE COOLER
Citrus Season Update
- Feb. 19, 2018
- Market Update
Citrus Season Update - Kings River Packing
Citrus Update
Valley temps are higher than normal, this is causing some earlier signs of bloom and more of a concern down the road with holding abilities of late season crops. More will tell itself as the days go on. We are hopeful bloom holds off for a while but the buds are already pushing. We are hopeful for more rain and snow as it has been a very dry winter and we are experiencing drought conditions. If this continues it will most likely affect next year’s crop as it has for this season.
Navels
We will continue to have a run of size on Navels but we will peak on very large fruit. We are seeing no signs of dryness or granulation. Quality is very good, juicy and sweet and we feel good about where we are at in the season. We are hitting consistently high brix.
Varieties harvesting now are Fishers, Atwoods and Washingtons. Late varieties – Lane Lates, Barnfields, Chizlets, Autumn Gold, and Powells will start size picking mid-March. They will continue to harvest to the end.
Heirloom Navels will continue to harvest and be available into May. We will have steady promotions with Bag fruit and we will look for opportunities to promote Bulk fruit. We have Heirloom plu#s - 4390, 4012 & 3107.
Overall our Navel season is expected to go into mid-June is our best estimate now but could possibly be end of May if temperatures continue to rise. Reach out to us for any needs on all packs.
Tango Seedless / W.Murcott Mandarins
We will continue to have a run of size on Tangos but we are peaking on large fruit 21lgr up to 12/15 sizes. Exceptional brix right now and the best fruit quality of the season is right now through March. Overall our season is expected to go into mid-April is our best estimate now but could possibly be earlier if we see huge swings in demand as others finish. We are looking to increase sales now through next 5 weeks so please run any opportunities by us.
Gold Nugget Mandarins
Harvest starts Thursday and we have exceptionally large fruit - 21lgr up to 9/12 sizes. Very high brix 14 or higher (up to almost 18) right now and rock-solid fruit. These are the “big uglies” as I like to call them, really stand apart from other fruit on the shelf. Not a better eating piece of fruit. Lots of new packaging and options for this season. Overall our gold nugget season is expected to go into May. Reach out to us for any needs on all packs.
Cara Cara Oranges
Fruit size, like Navels continues to peak on very large sizes. Quality is very good and fruit is exceptionally sweet. Our season at this point will continue to ship through early April. Reach out to us for any needs on all packs.
Blood Oranges
Exceptional quality on Blood Oranges. Fruit eats exceptionally well and we have very solid fruit. Blush color on the skin shows through now that it has a deep purple-ish tones to the flesh.
Variety now is the Moro and we will move to the Tarroco and Sanguanelli soon. Our Blood season will continue through mid-March. We can do all packs and sizes. Peak sizes continue to be 72/88 sizes followed by 113s and 138s. We will also make 56lgr too. Reach out to us for any opportunities you may have.
Minneola Tangelos
Harvest is in full swing and we have great quality and right now through March is the best time to promote the Minneola. They are very sweet with a slight tanginess and deep orange color. Sizing peaks on 100 sizes, we are looking for Bag promotions. We do have some 80s & larger, but need to focus sales on 100ct. Our season continues through mid-April. Please reach out to us on any opportunities you may have.
Lemons
Harvest is in full swing and we will continue to promote big sizes 63s/75s/95s and 115s. We do have a good run of all sizes but peak on Fancy fruit. Good color and rock-solid fruit but size will continue to grow.