DNE expects excellent quality, high-volume Australian citrus movement
DNE expects excellent quality, high-volume Australian citrus movement
DNE World Fruit Sales, headquartered in Ft. Pierce, FL, has high expectations for the Australian citrus program this season.
"Retailers are excited about the early arrivals and have already committed to more ads than ever for the month of July," said Stu Monaghan, national sales manager for DNE. "The first charter vessel arrived at the port of San Diego on June 29. Additional container loads will also be arriving at the port of Long Beach throughout the summer."
High volumes of premium-quality citrus from Australia this year is exceptionally good news because last year's crop was hindered by freezes in the country.
"Trees have recovered, the weather during the bloom and growing season has been exceptionally good and the crop has rebounded completely," said Mr. Monaghan. "The fruit is starting at high Brix levels and great color. Consumers will love the taste and appreciate the consistent quality in the Navels, Minneolas, and tangerines."
Mr. Monaghan said that Navel projections are 1.8 million cartons, and that to date, packouts are up by 25 percent over last year. Fruit sizes are also larger than normal. Navels will peak on 72s followed by 56s at the start of the season. By mid-August, the peak sizes will be 56s and 48s.
"The Navel movement is beginning with Navelinas, followed by Washingtons and will finish with Lane Lates," he said. "We also anticipate 350,000 cartons of Minneolas that will peak at very large sizes compared to years past. Ellendales will hit 125,000 cartons, and we will be introducing the Daisy Mandarin for the first time this season. The item is a good-tasting, easy- peeler hybrid with some seeds. We're optimistic that the 75,000 cartons will move through stores well."
The largest concentration of business for Australian citrus is by far the retail trade, according to Mr. Monaghan. "Retailers of all types engage in the Australian citrus programs, from traditional to club, every-day-low-price and gourmet stores."
Australians are on the cutting edge when it comes to food safety, and shippers have been aligned with U.S. and Australian protocol standards for a long time.
"Before we [receive] product [in] the U.S., DNE makes sure our packers are prepared to follow our own and the U.S.'s food-safety requirements," said Mr. Monaghan. "Australian packers make it easy for us by keeping up with internationally recognized audits and attention to necessary details. Aussie packers want to not only ship the best citrus in the world, they want to ship the most reliable."
Ortanique is another variety DNE expects will do well. The fruit -- a cross between a mandarin and an orange -- has excellent color, sweet flavor and some seeds. Mr. Monaghan said it has a distinct flavor.
The Oppenheimer Group will continue to be DNE's sub agent for the Australian program.
"Retailers are excited about the early arrivals and have already committed to more ads than ever for the month of July," said Stu Monaghan, national sales manager for DNE. "The first charter vessel arrived at the port of San Diego on June 29. Additional container loads will also be arriving at the port of Long Beach throughout the summer."
High volumes of premium-quality citrus from Australia this year is exceptionally good news because last year's crop was hindered by freezes in the country.
"Trees have recovered, the weather during the bloom and growing season has been exceptionally good and the crop has rebounded completely," said Mr. Monaghan. "The fruit is starting at high Brix levels and great color. Consumers will love the taste and appreciate the consistent quality in the Navels, Minneolas, and tangerines."
Mr. Monaghan said that Navel projections are 1.8 million cartons, and that to date, packouts are up by 25 percent over last year. Fruit sizes are also larger than normal. Navels will peak on 72s followed by 56s at the start of the season. By mid-August, the peak sizes will be 56s and 48s.
"The Navel movement is beginning with Navelinas, followed by Washingtons and will finish with Lane Lates," he said. "We also anticipate 350,000 cartons of Minneolas that will peak at very large sizes compared to years past. Ellendales will hit 125,000 cartons, and we will be introducing the Daisy Mandarin for the first time this season. The item is a good-tasting, easy- peeler hybrid with some seeds. We're optimistic that the 75,000 cartons will move through stores well."
The largest concentration of business for Australian citrus is by far the retail trade, according to Mr. Monaghan. "Retailers of all types engage in the Australian citrus programs, from traditional to club, every-day-low-price and gourmet stores."
Australians are on the cutting edge when it comes to food safety, and shippers have been aligned with U.S. and Australian protocol standards for a long time.
"Before we [receive] product [in] the U.S., DNE makes sure our packers are prepared to follow our own and the U.S.'s food-safety requirements," said Mr. Monaghan. "Australian packers make it easy for us by keeping up with internationally recognized audits and attention to necessary details. Aussie packers want to not only ship the best citrus in the world, they want to ship the most reliable."
Ortanique is another variety DNE expects will do well. The fruit -- a cross between a mandarin and an orange -- has excellent color, sweet flavor and some seeds. Mr. Monaghan said it has a distinct flavor.
The Oppenheimer Group will continue to be DNE's sub agent for the Australian program.
