“There’s currently a good supply of Meyer lemons available--supply is keeping up with demand,” says Sandra Bertelli of Orosi, Ca.-based Fruition Sales.
Overall notes Bertelli, there is currently less fruit available than in the past at this time of year. “There was a lighter set on the trees,” says Bertelli, who notes that Fruition’s fruit is grown in the central San Joaquin Valley in California. “But sizes are trending a bit higher than last season and the quality has been very good. The fruit has smooth skins and is full of juice.”
Demand on both sides
Demand for the product is coming from both retail and food-service providers. “Cooking shows have increased awareness of this variety and Meyer Lemons have become more mainstream with the increased exposure. On the retail side, most product is being sold in consumer packaging,” she says. “And within the past five years, more business has moved to consumer packaging from bulk sales.
Notably, prices have fallen as more fruit has come into production. “Overall pricing is lower than in the past years,” says Bertelli. “We have had good sales prior to and leading into the holidays. All of our sales are for the domestic market.”
It is a market though that’s seeing some saturation and decreasing prices. “There’s more fruit on the market whether from domestic growers or imported,” says Bertelli.
For more information:
Sandra Bertelli
Fruition Sales
Tel: +1-559-626-7917
[email protected]
www.ripetoyou.com
