With an eye toward adding new technology and staying ahead of the curve, Edinburg Citrus Association in Edinburg, TX, revamped its packing facility during the off season.

Ashlynn Biel Elliff, who is in the packer-shippers sales and marketing department, told The Produce News via email in mid-October that the company “remains in the forefront and has increased its upward momentum” by replacing its entire packingline with one of the most innovative complete packing systems in the world.Produce in the ‘Tropic Moon’ label. “Our new state-of-the-art packing line creates a modernized process along with smart system solutions which allow us to pack more efficiently in order to satisfy our customers,” she said.

Eliff added that the packing facility upgrades have a dual purpose of reducing expenses and improving the accuracy and consistency of the packed cartons. She said the cutting-edge technology being utilized reduces the variations of grading by hand, which benefits both customers and consumers by offering a more consistent pack. The new technology incorporates robotics, computers and integrated automation to increase the operational efficiency and to address the increasing demands of worker and food-safety concerns. Included is a high-tech imaging system which identifies product blemishes and imperfections. Multiple images are captured of each piece of fruit for the greatest levels of accuracy. She added that the automated packing machines significantly increase the number of cartons packed per hour.

“We strive to exceed the expectations of our customers and consumers,” said Jeffrey Arnold, ECA sales manager.

While other packers reported a slow start to the season because of significant September rain, ECA got off to a roaring start. “Our Texas grapefruit, which is the reddest and sweetest in the world, and our sweet Texas oranges are always in high demand and, of course, the supply is limited. We have started the season strong. We know what our customers and consumers expect from ECA, and our fruit is hand picked to order which helps to maintain the quality and freshness of the fruit. To date we have harvested and shipped more this year than at this same time last year,” said Eliff on Oct. 14.

Overall, ECA expects to have greater volume of both grapefruit and oranges this season, mostly due to new groves coming into production. “We are planting all the time and these new young trees produce exceptional fruit,” she said. “Grapefruit quality is up from last season with beautiful color and great shape.”

Besides upgrading its packingshed, ECA also renovated its offices, and Eliff said the staff is looking forward to hosting visits from its customers to see the new and improved facilities

While the high-tech packingshed clearly is an effort to look forward, the company also remembers its roots with its longtime “Tropic Moon” label. In addition, Eliff said “we are bringing back some of the old labels this year, and we expect an unveiling of those soon.”

As far as helping customers move this year’s crop, Eliff said “we have a new website (www.txcitrus.com) that is designed with the customer and consumer in mind. We offer recipes, tips and news to keep our customers up-to-date on the latest ECA news. Our new website is informative not only to our customers but to the general citrus buying pubic as well. Our Texas citrus is so unique that it basically sells itself.” The company continues to have a strong presence on the West Coast but Eliff said “we also ship our citrus to the Midwest, Canada, and New England. Our fruit is shipped to over 40 states and well as Canada, where ‘Tropic Moon’ is a favorite.”

She added that the export market looks solid this season. “We are currently in talks to expand our export market this year into Europe, and have enjoyed meeting these new customers,” she said.