CA Organic Citrus Crop Nearing Harvest

California’s organic citrus crop is in excellent shape with great potential for promotable supplies on some varieties by Thanksgiving—and for most others shortly thereafter.

“We see an across-the-board increase of between 15 and 20 percent,” said Craig Morris, category manager for Homegrown Organic Farms in Porterville, CA, of this year’s citrus crop.

Last year’s crop, Morris said, was hit hard by several factors, and supplies were well below normal. “This year, there is a lot more fruit on the trees,” he said, adding that there also appears to be more organic acreage under production.

Craig Morris, Category Manager, Homegrown Organic Farms

Morris categorized this crop as close to a normal crop, with organic navel production starting in California’s Central Valley in late October. At about the same time, the company will start pulling organic lemons from its desert acreage. “Soon after that, we will have satsumas, followed by clementines, Cara Cara, and blood oranges,” Morris said, adding that organic grapefruit will join the party by December 1.

“This year, there is a lot more fruit on the trees,” Morris said, adding that there also appears to be more organic acreage under production.

There will be promotable volumes of organic navels by Thanksgiving, and both organic lemons and organic clementines will have sufficient volume for retail promotions as the year moves on.

Anthony Innocenti, managing partner at LIV Organic Produce in Capistrano Beach, CA, expects his company’s organic citrus volume to be about the same as last year, with most varieties expected to be in full production by the second week of November barring any unforeseen weather condition such as a freeze. He did note that organic grapefruit supplies will be very tight at the start of the season in early November.

Anthony Innocenti, Managing Partner, LIV Organic Produce

The most important news about organic citrus for this season, Innocenti said, is the same factor that is hitting all crops—higher production costs. “Costs are up. Growers have to be compensated for their higher costs or they are not going to stay in business,” he said.

Anthony Innocenti, managing partner at LIV Organic Produce, expects his company’s organic citrus volume to be about the same as last year, with most varieties expected to be in full production by the second week of November barring any unforeseen weather condition such as a freeze.

Christina Ward, senior director of global marketing for Sunkist Growers, weighed in on both demand for organic citrus and Sunkist’s fall lineup.

Christina Ward, Senior Director of Global Marketing, Sunkist Growers

“We continue to see an increase in consumer demand for organic citrus, and Sunkist has a diverse portfolio that keeps up with the ever-growing category,” she said. “According to IRI, total US organic citrus dollar sales are flat this season; however, [they are] up 16 percent versus two years ago and up 32 percent versus three years ago (season to date, week ending 09/25/2022).”

“We continue to see an increase in consumer demand for organic citrus, and Sunkist has a diverse portfolio that keeps up with the ever-growing category.” - Christina Ward

Ward said Sunkist has many organic citrus varieties to meet the rising demand. “November kicks off a new citrus season with organic Sunkist navels, followed by organic Cara Cara oranges, blood oranges, and California mandarins. Organic Sunkist lemons are available year-round, and in the summer months, we deliver a program featuring grapefruit and Valencia oranges,” she said.