Melissa's Produce reports strong Ojai pixie tangerine harvest

With Ojai pixie tangerine season officially underway, Melissa’s Produce says the harvest from the co-op of family-run citrus growers in California's Ojai Valley looks promising.

A strong harvest of smaller fruit is already Brixing up to 18, the company said.

“We have a decades-long relationship with the Ojai Pixie Grower’s Association. We’re trying to make sure that 52 small family farms are sustainable and continue with California farming and growing. That’s what’s important to us,” Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Melissa’s Produce, said in a news release.

The Ojai Valley's history of citrus farming dates back to the 1880s, the release said, and the Ojai Pixie Growers Association maintains the tradition, using minimal interventions and preserving the land with care.

“Every tree is tended to by hand, and each fruit is clipped off with clippers by hand,” an unnamed grower said in the release, adding that they use minimal spraying, only when necessary and no nets, allowing pollinators to thrive freely in the orchards.

With year-over-year growth of 33% in both 2023 and 2024, Melissa’s Produce said it has experienced its two highest years ever for pixies, indicating that Ojai pixies continue to be a sought-after product with increasing consumer demand.

Retailers that act now to promote Ojai pixies will tap into this growing momentum, the company said. Those who join the program benefit from a complete suite of marketing support, including signage, social media assets, promotional videos, photography and recipe ideas — all curated to help highlight the story and quality of Ojai pixies, the release said.

“The citrus category as a whole is up,” said Schueller. “Our Ojai pixie program is a one-stop solution for retailers looking for a premium offering to take it to the next level.”