Sunkist Growers announces profitable year at annual meeting

Sunkist Growers announced another billion-dollar revenue year in 2013 at the cooperative’s annual meeting on February 19. This marks the fourth consecutive billion-dollar year for Sunkist, with grower payments totalling $873 million compared to $838 million in 2012.

“Over the past year, we have made significant advances on key strategic initiatives to position Sunkist for long-term growth and profitability,” said Sunkist President and CEO Russell Hanlin. “Acreage increases, the launch of the grower distribution program, the first year of our Ventura Coastal joint venture juice partnership, for-profit business gains and the headquarter building sale were significant business highlights of 2013.”

“Profitable and competitive returns have fostered growth for Sunkist, allowing us to expand with the addition of a new grower/shipper and acreage increases among Sunkist’s existing packinghouses,” said Mark Gillette, re-elected chairman of Sunkist’s Board of Directors and president of Sunkist-affiliated Gillette Citrus Inc. “In addition, our growers are continuing to expand production of newer varieties that consumers favour to position Sunkist for further growth in the current marketplace.”

As a result of cost containment efforts and positive results, Sunkist launched the grower distribution program in 2013 to directly share annual earnings with the cooperative’s grower members. 2013 also marked the first full year of Sunkist’s juice processing partnership with Ventura Coastal LLC, which has greatly increased efficiencies for Sunkist’s growers.

For more information:
Joan Wickham
Sunkist Growers, Inc.
Tel: +1 818-379-7430
Email: jwickham@sunkistgrowers.com