Due to Mother Nature delivering a warm, wet winter in Florida, DNE World Fruit LLC, headquartered in Fort Pierce, FL, will be done with its citrus crop in the state about three weeks earlier than normal this year.

Marketing Manager Kathy Hearl said the warmer weather caused the fruit to mature quicker.

“The acids in the fruit dropped, which reduced the availability time period of many varieties this season,” she explained. “During this time of the year we are mainly promoting Valencia oranges from the Indian River region and Polk County region. The Valencias will be available through May. The Indian River grapefruit is winding down and will DJbe done the third week of April.”

DNE is one of the the larger citrus marketers in Florida, and is the exclusive sales agent for nine Florida packinghouses. The company is also a major fresh fruit importer. It handles product from Australia, Spain, Chile, Morocco, South Africa, Peru and Mexico.

DNE offers a full line of citrus including Navel oranges, red and white grapefruit, juice oranges, minneolas, clementines, mandarins, lemons and limes.

Joseph B. Egan founded the company in 1914 based on a philosophy that promises to deliver to the market high-quality fruit at a fair price. He understood customers’ concerns about bottom-line profit, but noted that the real bottom line is profits from repeat customers. Whether the sale is made at the wholesale or retail level, customers only come back when they can count on receiving premium fruit. The company has always strived to continue Egan’s mission statement, and it remains its core belief today.

The company also packs a full line of popular citrus items under the popular Ocean Spray brand.

The Valencia orange is the premier juice orange and is valued for its high juice content, thin skin and distinctive bright colored juice.

“Valencia oranges are available from February through May, which is outside of the typical citrus season,” Hearl pointed out. “We are promoting our Valencia oranges in our Ocean Spray label in four-, five- and eight-pound bags. We find the smaller-sized Valencias work well with the retailers with in-house juicing programs.

“Right now the Valencia oranges are at their peak flavor and have great color and juice yield,” she continued. “As we get further into the season, we will begin to see the bloom start on the trees. This is a normal characteristic for next year’s crop.”