A one-stop shop for year-round supply of citrus

124 years ago, Limoneira started growing citrus. Around the globe, the company is well-known for lemons, but gradually there is increased awareness for the full range of other citrus products it grows and markets. “We’ve provided citrus for over a century,” says John Carter with Limoneira. “Given the shifting global market, we began independently selling and marketing our own lemons seven years ago. As we’ve grown and become more established with our direct lemon business, our customers began asking for us to supply our additional citrus varieties to them.” 

 

In response to customer requests, Limoneira now also sells its other citrus products directly to its customers. These other products include Navel oranges, Valencias, Cara Cara and Moro Blood oranges; Minneola tangelos, grapefruit, Ruby Red grapefruit and Pummelos. Limes and easy-peelers are also part of the company’s product suite.

 

Recently, Limoneira introduced its One World of Citrus™ marketing model to its customers around the world. “Through partnerships and direct investments, we now market and sell our citrus under the Limoneira brand from Chile, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and the US,” shared Carter. “The program enables us to provide our global foodservice and retail customers with ‘one stop shopping’ for sustainably produced citrus 52 weeks a year.”

 

In addition to the domestic market, Limoneira exports its citrus products to over 50 countries in Asia and increasingly throughout Europe and Russia. “Europe is an important target region,” mentioned Carter. “Healthy trends show no signs of abating as the population in European countries increasingly matures. Today’s global seniors are more active than previous generations and want to maintain their health and quality of life. The group of younger people, including millennials, is still the largest population group in Europe. They also desire healthy, natural products. Citrus is a super food choice for them.”

 

Not only in Europe, but around the world, consumers are increasingly making buying decisions with sustainability in mind. Limoneira has investments in solar, water, mulch and integrated pest management projects and is a leader in farm-worker housing. One example is The Less Food Waste Movement that is gaining traction. “Our branded Citrus Misfits™ help address this concern,” said Carter. “They are a playful reference to this particular type of produce having a little scarring from wind in the orchards. This perfectly good citrus would otherwise be discarded because of minor appearance considerations.” 

 

“As a global producer and seller, we have gained knowledge from markets everywhere and we are able to share that information with our customers. The Ph Balance trend which began in Asia, and has made inroads in the US is growing in Europe. Lemons play an important role, as lemon water is a natural product. There are many healthy trends in citrus that we can share”. 

 

Limoneira respresentatives will be present at Fruit Logistica in Berlin from February 8-10. Contact John Carter if you are interested in setting up a meeting. 

 

For more information:

John Carter

Tel: 805-625-3523