The southern hemisphere easy-peeler season is now in full swing with arrivals steadily increasing since the beginning of the season last month. Receivers are now incorporating the early varietals into their programs as volume picks up considerably. Over the course of the season, predictions are that volume will be greater than previous years due to good weather conditions and also more acreage.
"Arrivals from Chile, Peru and Uruguay began about two weeks ago," said Fred Vandenberg of New York based Jac Vandenberg. "The first varieties included early Satsumas, Marisols, and Oro Grande, as well as the start of the Clemenules which are the original Clementine. Estimates suggest that most of the easy-peelers will see an increase in volume this year, especially in the later varieties such as Murcotts."
After a late start, the Chilean season has accelerated at a rapid rate with early figures indicating a considerable increase over last year. "The Chilean season started two weeks later than last year," Vandenberg noted. "This also means that the season is expected to last longer. At this point, the figures are indicating that arrivals from Chile are already up by 30 percent over this time last year. These are very early figures though and we predict that by the end of the season, the increase will have moderated to between 10 and 15 percent. What we know is that Clementine numbers will increase, particularly on the later varieties, and Murcotts from both Peru and Chile will almost certainly increase in the order of 25 percent."
Southern hemisphere season welcomed by excellent market
With the California season finishing early this year, a gap in the market appeared, allowing for the early southern hemisphere arrivals to disembark into a strong market. This mirrors what occurred last year, although FOBs are slightly higher now. The market is expected to remain strong through to the end of June when volume will arrive in greater quantities and from more regions.
"California finished on the early side for both Clementines and Murcotts, leaving the market with an open window for the southern hemisphere fruit to arrive," Vandenberg explained. "Demand has been high as dwindling inventories meant that receivers were anxious to get their hands on the first arrivals. We are seeing FOBs on Clementines in the US$ 36 - 38 range which is a little higher than usual. We expect the strong market to continue through June when more volume comes from South America as well as South Africa."
Quality is foremost
Vandenberg said that demand for easy peelers has grown every year, with consumers seeking them out all year round regardless of their origin. Quality and consistency is what he notes is important for the consumer. "We are at a point now when the customer expects to go into their local store and be able to pick up a 2lb or 3lb bag of clementines any time of the year. Where they are from is less important to them than flavor and quality. Therefore, the important thing is to consistently bring in tasty varieties. Once that confidence in quality fruit is established, consumers then will come back.
"Providing excellent southern hemisphere fruit also paves the way for the early northern hemisphere varieties once they start in October, which are also always excellent eating," he added. "Our Bagu brand is another example of where we have sought out quality. Jac. Vandenberg is the exclusive U.S. receiver of Bagu clementines, which grow in Spain. These are grown by one grower, and it is the same grower we have been dealing with for more than 20 years. They are highly flavorful and are available as part of our winter citrus program."
Save the Children partnership enters second year
Last year, Jac Vandenberg entered a partnership with Save the Children. The company donates a portion of money from each package of their Sunrays brand citrus sold at grocery stores to Save the Children. Now the two organizations are continuing this partnership into a second year.
"Sunrays is our house brand of easy-peelers," Vandenberg said. "Our partnership with Save the Children gives us an opportunity to give back in a unique way. We donate a portion of every bag of Sunrays we sell to Save the Children’s U.S. Early Education Programs. In 2017, we donated over $50,000 and we are thrilled to help even more this year as we grow our distribution and partnerships across the United States. We're very excited to now enter the second year of this successful partnership."
For more information:
Fred Vandenberg
Jac Vandenberg
Tel: +1 (914) 964-5900