“On Wednesday, September 23rd, we started packing our first Florida’s navel oranges of the season,” says Al Finch of Florida Classic Growers (FCG). The season will run up to Christmas. Finch expects an excellent season for promotional opportunities on the navels. “We’re seeing larger sizing this season with lots of 48s and 56s on the tree and peaking on 64s,” he said. The larger sizes offer an excellent opportunity to promote 8 lbs. bags of fruit. “Overall crop size is down, but sizing is better this year,” mentioned Finch.
FCG markets navels to its domestic retail and wholesale partners. The fruit is merchandised in bags as well as offered in bulk in the stores. In addition, the citrus variety is also marketed through the company’s gift fruit operations and utilized in fundraising programs with schools.
Florida’s fresh and juice oranges
Florida Classic Growers also grows Ambersweet oranges, Hamlins, mid-season oranges and Valencias for fresh fruit consumption. “Production of these Florida oranges will start this week (September 30th) with the Ambersweet variety,” said Finch. From there, harvest will continue with Hamlins until early January. Around that time, production will transition into mid-season oranges that are harvested up until the end of February. That’s when the Valencia harvest will start. Due to the volume availability, Finch expects this season to be excellent for promoting juice oranges in 4 lb. and 5 lb. bags.
FCG is a grower owned cooperative. It’s the exclusive marketer of Dundee Citrus Growers Association and the Florida Classic label.
For more information:
Al Finch
Florida Classic Growers
Tel: (+1) 863-439-1600