After shipping papaya for more than 10 years, WYCO Produce is adding to its lineup with a new premium variety of papaya, Dulzita. The fruit, which ripens on the shelf, is hand-harvested, and packed with a protective mesh designed to preserve the fruit's quality, is from Guatemala and looks similar to varieties of papaya such as Maradol that consumers know. "We are in production with it now and come the beginning of 2025, we will have more fruit available for the market," says Brentt Skinner, president and founder of WYCO Produce.
Right now, smaller amounts of fruit are coming in, even after a storm in the early summer affected early production. However, the next planting will come on in January. "We've been sending Dulzita papayas to some of our local customers who tell us that it's increased their papaya sales by about 40 percent," says Skinner, adding that the fruit will be available year-round.
Unique variety
As for demand for this premium-priced fruit, Skinner believes it will be strong. "It ripens on the shelf and it has a concentrated flavor and color to it that help make it one of the best-eating papayas," says Skinner.
WYCO Produce will unveil the fruit at the Southeast Produce Council's Southern Innovations in Nashville, Tennessee this week, where it will offer samples to attendees.
For more information:
Brentt Skinner
WYCO Produce Inc
Tel: +1 (813) 751-3480
[email protected]
www.wycoproduce.com