With an increase in volume of its various differentiated produce offerings, Pasadena, CA-based Sun Pacific has added Canadian retailers as a target group for its sales effort.

Sun Pacific President Bob DiPiazza said there are Canadian retailers that have done business with the firm and have been regular buyers of its well-known Cuties brand of clementines. However, in the past several years, Sun Pacific has also added proprietary offerings in kiwi and heirloom Navels under the brand names Mighties and Vintage Sweet, respectively. DiPiazza said what all three of these products have in common is that they have points of differentiation from the competition and their volume is increasing.

Hence, the firm used the Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention in Calgary to familiarize more Canadian retailers with these products.

“In the past we have had a presence at CPMA, but this is the first year we are exhibiting there,” DiPiazza said. “We are bringing out our owner, [and] I’m going to be there. We are making a big deal of this.”

DiPiazza said thousands of U.S. retailers and consumers have enjoyed these products and the time has come to make a greater push in Canada.

Speaking specifically of each item, DiPiazza said Cuties were the first branded Mandarin in the U.S. market and remain a leading brand in the category. In fact, he said Cuties, with their easy-to-peel skins, have driven the growth of the Mandarin category in the United States to the point where it exceeds all other citrus sales.

Sun Pacific has increased its acreage of Cuties and expects the volume to rise each year for the foreseeable future. Cuties are available in five-pound boxes, and three- and five-pound bags

Mighties, DiPiazza said, invigorated the kiwi category when they were introduced in the 2014-15 season, driving 14 percent growth for the total U.S. kiwi category and capturing 78 percent share of branded kiwi. Sun Pacific has significantly increased its kiwi acreage and is expecting volume growth every year for the next decade. By 2025, the firm expects to produce 70 percent of the North American kiwi supply.

Again, he said this product has been introduced in thousands of U.S. stores and it’s time to achieve greater reach in Canada. Mighties are available in one-, two-, three- and four-pound clamshell packages.

The newest branded item for Sun Pacific is its Vintage Sweets oranges.  DiPiazza said these oranges are a high Brix, heirloom Navel oranges, debuting in 2016 in both the U.S. and Canadian markets. The firm expects Vintage Sweet to do for Navel oranges what Cuties and Mighties have done in their fruit categories.

The Sun Pacific president said that like the other branded products of the firm, Vintage Sweets will provide “a great customer experience, which is what Canadian and U.S. retailers are looking for.”

The product combines a curated growing process with sensory testing to ensure just the right characteristics for a delicious eating experience.  Vintage Sweets are available in standard cartons, as well as three-pound Giro bags and a six-count shrink-wrapped tray.

Sun Pacific also provides a wide range of grape varietals in customized packaging, Navel oranges and lemons under the Air Chief brand, as well as Valencia oranges, grapefruit, Cara Cara and blood oranges, Minneola tangelos, avocados, and both round and Roma tomatoes.

“Our commitment to retailers goes beyond our products,” DiPiazza said. “We work to form long-term, trusted partnerships that include customized marketing programs, in-store training and support, and customer service to ensure a produce program is thriving. We are excited to be expanding that dedication to new partnerships with Canadian retailers.”