The impact of the pandemic on consumption habits increased global demand for mandarins and lemons. Now Salix Fruits will introduce its new brand, Mundos, launching bags of Peruvian and Moroccan mandarins, as well as lemons from Argentina, Mexico, Turkey and Spain.

All 26 Balls Food Stores under the banners Hen House Market, Payless Discount Foods, Sun Fresh and Price Chopper locations celebrated healthy and delicious citrus in the month of January. The first annual Citrus Fest presented special prices and health and nutrition information about the tasty tropical fruits. The sale boosted citrus sales for all stores, and more than 250,000 pounds of citrus were sold.

The new season of Egyptian citrus that started in mid-November is now in full swing. Vanguard International is expecting another very strong season — however, likely not a record-breaking one.

Weather has affected growers differently depending which area their crops are in. Certain citrus growers in the region are noting an increase in volume between 15 and 25 percent, while others are recording a reduction of up to 40 percent.

Rouses Markets and Sunkist Growers have earned the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the largest display of citrus fruits. Shipped directly from California’s citrus groves, the display features over 40,000 pounds of fresh Sunkist Navel, Blood and Cara Cara oranges, as well as Sunkist California mandarins, lemons, grapefruit, and Minneola tangelos. 

Whether it be weather, supply chain issues or low yields, it was another week of high prices in the produce industry.

Lime prices went from $28 to $61/carton in seven days and are now more than double compared to any January over the past 10 years, according to ProduceIQ.

“We want to do the citrus category really well,” said Juana Elortondo, U.S. sales manager for Salix Fruits, “and we know what it takes to be a high-quality import provider 12 months of the year.”