Right now, supplies on both mandarins and oranges out of Florida are relatively steady. “We feel there is less supply on mandarins this year, but more demand. Then it slows down after Lunar New Year,” says J.B. Cutsinger of International Citrus and Produce.
Currently, the shipper is bringing in Juicy Crunch tangerines, a citrus item that has a zipper skin so it’s easy to peel and has few or no seeds and high Brix levels. On oranges, it’s bringing in Florida and Texas early oranges.
The season out of Florida was not only somewhat delayed but also saw a decrease in supply following the two sizeable hurricanes that hit the state in the fall of 2022--Hurricane Ian at the end of September and later, Hurricane Nicole in early November. Along with Florida, Texas and Mexico also have oranges in production right now.
Post-Lunar New Year demand
As for demand on both items, it is now slowing down. “A few weeks ago tangerine prices were higher due to the demand for Lunar New Year. Now that it’s over, sales have slowed down and prices have come off,” says Cutsinger.
Looking ahead though, in the next few weeks, the shipper will wrap up Florida tangerines and move on to offshore Israeli tangerines.
For more information:
J.B. Cutsinger
International Citrus Produce
Tel: +1-650-342-4525
jbc@icproduce.com