The Texas citrus season has begun. "The fruit is already at a strong Brix Acid Ratio for this point in the season, and we are very pleased with the flavor," says April Flowers of Lone Star Citrus Growers. "We are already at full production and expect to ship until mid-March this year, which is on time."
While the crop is similar in volume to last year's crop, it is better in quality due to ideal grove care. In all, Flowers estimates it will ship 1.1 million cartons this season, with Thanksgiving through the New Year holiday being the peak season.
In terms of varieties, the company's main item is its Texas-grown sweet Rio Red grapefruit. "Thanks to the low acid and bright red flesh of our Rio Reds, our fans anxiously await Texas citrus season each year," says Flowers, adding that the company also supplies Texas-grown super sweet oranges, with varieties that include, Marrs, Pineapple, and Valencia oranges
© Lone Star Citrus Growers
Grapefruit on the market
Timing wise, the season started on time and Flowers is pleased with its pace of movement, despite current market conditions reflecting a lot of grapefruit in the marketplace. "Summer crop California grapefruit is still being shipped and is expected to finish in mid-November and there are still South African imports on some retail shelves," she says. "Despite these challenges, movement on Texas grapefruit has been good because of our superior product and the fact that 'new crop' Texas is always sought after by the retailers and our other customers."
This good quality and volume comes even with the long-standing drought that continues in Texas. However, the upside to that is the reduced pests due to lack of rainy conditions. "Thanks to proper management of water allocations, we have been able to irrigate our way through this drought and we have put up a nice crop," adds Flowers.
© Lone Star Citrus Growers
Demand to increase
On demand for grapefruit, it has been fair, even with the excess product in the marketplace. It is also increasing and growth is expected week by week up until Thanksgiving when sales really jump between the holidays. "We have started most of our retailers already. Now, we are currently shipping exports to South Korea and Germany. Export season will continue up until the Thanksgiving holiday," says Flowers. "Also, we'll begin gift fruit sales as we ease into November, and we'll begin to see strengthening demand that coincides with the holiday season.
That said, she does note that national consumption on grapefruit, in general, is declining due to the loss of domestic grapefruit production. This is a result of a number of factors including commercial/residential development, citrus pests and disease, and destructive weather phenomena like freezes and droughts. "However, Texas Grapefruit is an outlier within consumption trends, due to the sweetness of the fruit and the deep red color inside and out. Additionally, we are very encouraged by Millennials' increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as Gen Z's interest in healthier living," she says.
All of this is leaving pricing on grapefruit down by a few dollars this year. However last year was an unprecedented situation with the summer crop California grapefruit finishing so early. "They finished the first week of September last year, creating market conditions devoid of grapefruit by the time Texas started. This allowed us to enter the market with strong pricing that is only available when there is a lack of supply," says Flowers.
However, prices evened out by November of last year and the season finished strong. "This year the price may not be starting off as high but is a good price, and we expect that it will hold through most of the season."
For more information:
April Flowers
Lone Star Citrus Growers
Tel: +1 (956) 424-7775
[email protected]
www.lonestarcitrus.com