Most fresh citrus prices in early 2024 were comparable to year-ago levels, and supply is primed for promotions in the winter months, industry sources report.
Citrus fits in well with the desire of consumers to eat better in the new year. In its weekly retail report, the USDA said on Jan. 5 that supermarkets put in place a large increase in ads for all commodity groups.
“Retailers prepared for shoppers and their New Year's resolutions by shoring up their offerings of healthy foods and supplements,” the report said.
Total ad numbers for the week of Jan. 5 were 312,265, up 22% from the same week a year ago.
Oranges
Oranges accounted for 6% of all retail fresh produce ads the week of Jan. 5, 5% of all organic retail ads, and 11% of conventional fruit ads, the USDA said in its retail report.
California citrus supplies are in good shape for rising retail demand. Citrus harvest in the state was active on Jan. 11, said Randy Stucky, director of harvesting and grower relations for Bee Sweet Citrus.
“Harvest is in full swing, and we are very busy from January to March, as most varieties are at peak maturity,” he said.
In Florida, Derek Rodgers, a sales representative with Dundee-based Florida Classic Growers, said the marketer will pack valencia oranges through May, he said.
“Valencia juice oranges are just getting started and we are looking forward to a great season with high-quality fruit,” he said.
The USDA’s average U.S. terminal market price for fresh oranges on Jan. 6 was $32.78 per carton, down from $37.26 per carton on Dec. 2, and up slightly from $31.77 per carton a year ago.
Retailers promoting oranges sold by the pound for the week of Jan. 5 totaled 3,069 stores, up from just 1,912 stores the same week a year ago. The average weighted per pound price for oranges was $1.20 the week of Jan. 5, about the same as $1.21 the same time a year ago.
Grapefruit
Rodgers, with Florida Classic Growers, said grapefruit promotions will be in full swing for the company in January and February.
“We generally see a spike in grapefruit demand in January, as there are a lot of people looking to get healthy in the new year,” he said.
The firm’s grapefruit season will finish in early March.
“The volume of small fruit is perfect for 3lb and 5lb grapefruit promotions,” he said.
The average U.S. terminal market price for grapefruit was reported at $37.05 per carton on Jan. 6, down from $38.58 per carton on Dec. 2 and up from $34.33 per carton a year ago, according to the USDA.
The USDA said the average retail ad price for red grapefruit (sold by each) the week of Jan. 5 was $1.21, down from $1.35 a year ago.
With prices down, retail promotions were up in early 2024. The number of retail stores promoting red grapefruit by the piece was 2,584 the week of Jan. 5, more than double the same time a year ago.
Clementines
The USDA’s average U.S. terminal market price for clementines was $40.73 per carton, down from $41.88 per carton on Dec. 2 but up from $35.83 per carton a year ago. At retail, the USDA reported that 2,416 stores promoted 3-pound bags of clementines the week of Jan. 5, down from 4,050 stores with that ad at the same time a year ago. The average retail ad price the week of Jan. 5 for the 3-pound bag of clementines was $4.20, down from $4.43 the same week a year ago.
Lemons
For lemons, the average U.S. terminal market price on Jan. 6 was $38.10 per carton, down from $43.21 per carton on Dec. 2 but up from $33.49 per carton a year ago. The USDA reported that 3,210 stores promoted lemons per fruit the week of Jan. 5, up from 1,209 stores with that ad the same week a year ago. The average weighted retail ad price was 77 cents each the week of Jan. 5, up from 67 cents each a year ago.