California's mandarin season is beginning and the state is expecting a smaller crop this season following last year's large crop. "Clementines will run through to mid-January and that's when we get into other mandarin varieties such as Tango and Murcott. Tangoes and Murcotts are going to be down about 25 percent versus last year. Last year was an on year so this year will be an "off" year," says Rudy D. Placencia of Fowler Packing, noting that clementine supply could be similar to last year or slightly down. "When we talk about lighter crops though, that doesn't manifest itself until the end of the California season, so the May-June timeframe."
© Fowler Packing
The season is beginning following what has been a wet October for mandarin growing. "So that impacts things fruit quality, how we pick, timing and more," he says, adding that the smaller crop means fruit is sizing up slightly larger this season and it is also seeing good sugar and acid levels. "Whether it is fog or rain and moisture, all those things factor into how we pick against demand as an industry."
Most growers have started to pick fruit this week and that is generally followed by a degreening period of five to seven days, depending on the color. Shipments are expected to happen the week of November 10.
Mandarin consumption to still grow
As for demand, optimism for demand comes with the fact that both mandarins and Dekopons are helping drive demand in the citrus category. "We feel really good about that. Everything from point of sale material, merchandising material, things of that nature, we'll see the large three brands continue to push to continue to drive growth," says Placencia. "Everybody feels fairly comfortable that we're going to continue to see that growth year over year."
© Fowler Packing
Meanwhile mandarin pricing is expected to look similar to last year's pricing levels. "I think what you'll see is a bit more aggressive ad pricing," he says though he notes that some packers are aggressively pushing on pricing ahead of the Thanskgiving holiday. That could continue throughout the season as growers and shippers try to move their inventory.
For more information:
Rudy D. Placencia
Fowler Packing
Tel: +1 (559) 834-5911
https://fowlerpacking.com/