Hi All,

I am from Australia and looking to import lemons from the USA.

I am coming to the USA in August and want to meet growers who are interested in selling their fruit to me.

I would really appreciate it if anybody on here is interested (or knows someone who might be interested) to send me a message so I can contact them.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Thanks,
Andy

How many tons do you want?
And how are you going to import these? Aussie laws are very strict in Plant importing..

Strict on plants, yes, but USA Citrus fruit is common here in Australia, lemons, navel orange, clementine, blood orange, even pummelo...also table grapes, in our supermarkets.
Astandy probably needs to contact a grower organisation/co-op
I was wondering what the risk of greening or canker was from USA imported fruit??
Can you send fruit out of quarrantine areas inside USA??

Hi turtleman and pagnr,

turtleman - looking to import fruit, not plants. Looking to import 1 x 40ft container to start with and then once I get things sorted out fully here, probably 1-2 x 40ft containers per month.

pagnr - trying to avoid going through grower organisations. I'm old-fashioned. I like to speak with the person who I'm dealing with from the getgo.

Even is someone can point me in the direction of a few orchards that would be a great help.

Thanks,
Andy

Well I have about 40 acres of differing citrus,, I use most of this as propagation material but the fruit is sold anyplace that will buy it.. I have no problem sending fruit any place someone would want it.. AZ has no HLB restrictions in our area, but we do have a sweet scab regulation that requires all fruit to be washed... (thats not really a issue)... If you get to Arizona let me know I'll give you a tour..

turtleman - so can you provide wash and wax service and packing or do you send the fruit out for that?

Do you have enough lemons to supply per 40' container loads??

Thanks,
Andy

Most large US growers are already members of a citrus coop or packing house. I don't know if they are free to pull away from contractual obligations already set in place. - Millet

Hi Millet,

This is the sort of information I need. I will only have a couple of weeks to meet growers when I come over in August, so I need to know the people I have to speak to.

Can you suggest some starting points (eg co-ops or packing houses) that I could contact?

Thanks,
Andy

Here is a good list of contacts in California citrus Industry. Mr. Joel Nelsen President of California Citrus Mutual would be an excellent person to contact. Also shown are many packing houses, and other contacts. - Millet

http://www.ultimatecitrus.com/california.html

we can wash and pack,, but I wouldn't have enough lemon only to fill a 40',, but that's me.. I'm also the Chairman of the Ag Nursery and Greenhouse Committee for the State of Arizona Farm Bureau ,, between all the growers I know I'd think we could supply your country.

G'Day fellas,

Millet - thank you for the link. I will go through the list and start making some enquiries.

turtleman - can you check your pm's please.

Really appreciate all of the help so far!

Thanks,
Andy

Got ya Mate...

sorry I've been real busy to get by much,, but drop in once in awhile here.