Premium variety headlines Moroccan citrus program at Oppenheimer
Premium variety headlines Moroccan citrus program at Oppenheimer
The company that brought the original seedless oranges to North America over a century ago will introduce its latest sweet, juicy citrus variety to the U.S. market in mid-January.
Nour, a type of clementine indigenous to Morocco, is the newest addition to the Vancouver, BC-based Oppenheimer Group's citrus program. Nour clementines are produced in Morocco's premium orange-growing region, which is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
Seedless, with high Brix and vibrant color, Nour enjoys a strong position in Europe and Canada, according to James Milne, executive director of Oppenheimer's citrus category.
"The Nour variety is an exciting complement to our traditional Spanish and Moroccan clementine program," Mr. Milne said. "Because these oranges are seedless, easy to peel and exceptionally sweet -- with Brix that can measure up to 14 percent -- they stand out with retailers and consumers."
The Nour clementines are sold in five-pound "Oppenheimer" brand boxes and available through March. Mr. Milne said that Oppenheimer is exploring different packaging designs to differentiate the premium variety from other clementines at retail.
John Anderson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Oppenheimer, cited Nour's international success as a strong indicator of current consumer preferences.
"People are looking for sweet, great-tasting fruits and vegetables," he said. "Combine that with the seedless nature of these oranges, add the easy-to- peel convenience and high vitamin C content, and you pretty much have the perfect snack."
Mr. Anderson noted that the recent focus on the citrus category has returned the company to its roots while also aligning with current trends.
"We're known for bringing Japanese mandarins into Canada in the 1880s, being the first to market them commercially and building an enduring demand," Mr. Anderson said. "Now, 125 years later, we're still the exclusive source for Japanese mandarins, and have added seedless citrus from South Korea, Spain, Morocco, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and Peru to our program. We think that the time is right for more focus on items that offer a solution for busy families seeking healthy, easy, good-quality alternatives."
Oppenheimer offers seedless, easy-to-peel oranges in five-pound boxes virtually year round. The company's citrus category has experienced double- digit growth since 2005.
Nour, a type of clementine indigenous to Morocco, is the newest addition to the Vancouver, BC-based Oppenheimer Group's citrus program. Nour clementines are produced in Morocco's premium orange-growing region, which is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
Seedless, with high Brix and vibrant color, Nour enjoys a strong position in Europe and Canada, according to James Milne, executive director of Oppenheimer's citrus category.
"The Nour variety is an exciting complement to our traditional Spanish and Moroccan clementine program," Mr. Milne said. "Because these oranges are seedless, easy to peel and exceptionally sweet -- with Brix that can measure up to 14 percent -- they stand out with retailers and consumers."
The Nour clementines are sold in five-pound "Oppenheimer" brand boxes and available through March. Mr. Milne said that Oppenheimer is exploring different packaging designs to differentiate the premium variety from other clementines at retail.
John Anderson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Oppenheimer, cited Nour's international success as a strong indicator of current consumer preferences.
"People are looking for sweet, great-tasting fruits and vegetables," he said. "Combine that with the seedless nature of these oranges, add the easy-to- peel convenience and high vitamin C content, and you pretty much have the perfect snack."
Mr. Anderson noted that the recent focus on the citrus category has returned the company to its roots while also aligning with current trends.
"We're known for bringing Japanese mandarins into Canada in the 1880s, being the first to market them commercially and building an enduring demand," Mr. Anderson said. "Now, 125 years later, we're still the exclusive source for Japanese mandarins, and have added seedless citrus from South Korea, Spain, Morocco, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and Peru to our program. We think that the time is right for more focus on items that offer a solution for busy families seeking healthy, easy, good-quality alternatives."
Oppenheimer offers seedless, easy-to-peel oranges in five-pound boxes virtually year round. The company's citrus category has experienced double- digit growth since 2005.
