Demand for fresh California citrus good, Sunkist says

Cecilia Parsons
Capital Press

WOODLAKE - This year's citrus harvest began earlier than usual, and the early start was welcomed by packinghouse operators and growers eager to put last January's nightmare freeze behind them.

Harvest and packing of navel oranges began the first week of October in the Edison-Arvin areas, about three weeks earlier than usual. Cooler nights brought on sugar and color.

"Test really hasn't been an issue; some varieties are right on the bubble but most you can pick at will," said John Kalender, general manager for Visalia Citrus Packing Group at the Woodlake facility. Navels still require a little gassing to achieve full color, he said, but a few more cool nights will bring it on. Fruit sizes have also been good in south valley groves, but have lost a little to the north.

Packinghouse manager John Clower said there is a heavier crop with better sizes than normal after a freeze year.

"Last year was a phenomenon. More fruit was harvested post freeze than expected and the trees weren't affected as much because it was later in the season and drier," he said.

Clower said there has also been good demand for fresh California citrus. The Sunkist cooperative reports demand for navels is increasing as more fruit is marketed. The cooperative also reports the navel crop is about 25 percent larger than last year and is estimated at 86 million cartons. Fruit sizes are not as large.

Bob Blakely of California Citrus Mutual said prices are a little lower than they were at this time last year with the peak size 72s bringing an average of $13.50-$14.50 per 40-pound carton. Prices have been steadier this year and growers are anticipating a good season, he added. Another bump in sales is expected as holiday advertising begins.

"Last year they started high and then dropped. They were just building back up when the freeze hit," Blakely said.

Navels have long been the mainstay of the citrus business in the Central Valley, but there is increasing pressure from specialty citrus such as seedless mandarins, Clower said.

"There's no doubt there is downward pressure on navels because the mandarins can't be held and when they are priced to move, it affects navel prices," Clower said.

Packing of the Satsuma variety began shortly after the start of the navel harvest and Clementine harvest began the second week of November. Those small, easy-to-peel fruits are gaining in popularity,

Clower said that as more of the new plantings come into production, the pressure on the navels will increase.

According to California Department of Food and Agriculture statistics, there are nearly 27,000 acres of mandarins. Navels are still the heavyweight with more than 133,000 acres.

"They've got a lot of appeal," said Clower of the small seedless citrus varieties. Quality has also been good, with few lots being rejected for seediness. Packers also expect less competition from Spanish Clementines. Reports of heavy rains in Spain's growing region may cut the shipments by up to 30 percent Sunkist reports that the overall crop may be 15 percent smaller.

Clower said the main competition for mandarins is now domestic, due to the number of new varieties entering the market. He took a chance and substituted the small, bright-orange fruits for candy on Halloween, Clower said.

"For the most part that went over very well," he said.