The season’s first citrus from South Africa has arrived in the United States, marking the start of the 15th season for South African summer citrus in the United States.

The fruit arrived on the container vessel MSC Valvik bringing 90 tons of Clementines and Navel oranges.

In a release from the Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum, a consortium of South African citrus growers, Suhanra Conradie, chief executive officer of the forum, said that for a variety of reasons, many of which are weather related, domestic citrus supplies in the United States are at more reduced levels than in past seasons.

“To meet this immediate demand, we expect to send nearly twice as much citrus at this time as compared to the initial shipments of 2013,” said Conradie. “The weather in South Africa has contributed well to both the taste and color of this season’s citrus. Sizes for the 2014 season will yield nicely for the growing popularity of bagged fruit among consumers.”

She noted that easy peelers, better known in the market as Clementines, are in high demand in the United States and that this initial shipment brings more of those than Navel oranges.

“That will adjust later in the season when the volume of Navels increases,” she said, adding that Star Ruby grapefruit and Cara Cara oranges will begin arriving in late June.”

Conradie also explained that consumer access to South African summer citrus will be more rapid in 2014 than in recent years. A pilot program reducing the cold sterilization to 22 days from 24 is underway for the 2014 season. Citrus from South Africa is shipped at 31 degrees F to avoid chemical fumigation on arrival.

Science confirms that 22 days is sufficient to assure no pests can arrive with the fruit, according to Conradie. The agreement is a result of discussions held earlier this year between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service and South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries.

“The two agencies have been committed to our export program to the U.S. and work bilaterally as well as with the growers to assure compliance,” said Conradie. “A unique aspect to our program is the citrus is subject to pre-clearance in Cape Town before export to the U.S., where it then undergoes additional inspection on arrival. The reduction by two days means the fruit is available in the marketplace that much faster and will have a longer shelf life once in the market.”

Strong relationships with importers and retailers in the United States and close collaboration before and throughout the season assure the preferred sizes and volumes are shipped at the correct market time.

“Smaller fruit yields well for the growing popularity of bagged fruit in the U.S. market,” said Conradie. “In all cases, fruit to the U.S. exceeds the internal quality requirements and is packed to assure it exceeds the strictest of food-safety regulations.”

She also explained that South Africa’s summer heat contributes to the sweet taste of its citrus, followed by colder temperatures, which helps the fruit’s color develop to bright orange.