Clementines / Mandarins / Tangerines

Commodity Overview

Clementine and tangerines continue to make inroads in sales. Cash in on this tiny citrus item to add big bucks to your bottom line. Include clementines and tangerines in larger citrus displays to draw attention to the entire category.

PLUs

3029 satsuma
3144 fall glo
4383 minneola
4386 temple, small
4387 temple, large
4456 tangelo
4055 tangerines
4450 clementines
4451 dancy
4452 fairchild
4453 honey/murcott
4455 mandarin/royal

Varieties

Satsuma Mandarins

Murcott Mandarins

Pixie Tangerines

Kishu Tangerines

Tangelos

Retail Price Data is based on USDA Specialty Crops Market News surveys. Data collection ends on the report date and encompasses ad pricing good from the Saturday before the report release date through the following Friday. Weekly data - from over 400 retailers, comprising more than 30,000 individual stores with online weekly advertised features - covers over 250 produce items. Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

USDA Specialty Crops Market News publishes FOB and Movement data on a daily and weekly basis. Pricing and volume information is aggregated by commodity and published weekly, subject to any source-data adjustments. Commodity data is further processed based on origin (domestic vs imports) and type (regular vs. organic). Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

Facts

Clementines and tangerines have a host of health benefits beyond the obvious vitamin C content. Vitamin C is an immune-system booster and a cancer-fighting antioxidant. Citrus also contains nutrients that can help fight cancer as well as promote healthy skin and protect the brain against age-related mental decline. Tangerines contain a nutrient that has been shown to help fight weight gain. Studies have shown that eating certain citrus can help lower your stroke risk.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the following nutrient content descriptors for tangerines: non-fat, saturated fat free, very low sodium, cholesterol-free, a good source of fiber (must state that tangerines contain 12 percent dietary fiber per 140g tangerine) and high in vitamin C.

Sales Strategies

Clementines and tangerines are typically eaten as a snack, but they can be cross-merchandised with back-to-school items, juicing equipment and bagged salads.
Clementines and tangerines are available year-round, so take advantage of that availability to keep them in front of consumers all year.
Fall: Promote clementines and tangerines heavily during the back-to-school season as they are the perfect size for lunch boxes.
Winter: Include clementines and tangerines in winter holiday promotions as part of fruit baskets and as a great snack to counter some of those holiday calories.
Spring: Promote clementines and tangerines as a sweet addition to springtime salads.
Summer: Market clementines and tangerines as the perfect summertime snack for on-the-go families. They won’t melt or spoil in the heat, and they are easily transportable.

Dynamic Displays

Offer clementines and tangerines in 5-pound boxes or mesh bags to make it easy for consumers to buy a week’s supply all at once. The packaged citrus makes for a neater display and helps you to avoid having produce rolling in the aisles.
Include clementines and tangerines in larger citrus displays to draw attention to the entire category.
Create endcap or stand-alone displays of clementines and tangerines during peak buying times for the fruit like during back-to-school and the winter holidays.
Take advantage of the year-round availability of clementines and tangerines to create large displays during the winter months when other fruits may not be as plentiful.

Food Service

Tangerines make a great addition to salads. Consider including them on salad bars. They can also be used in stir-fry and baked dishes.
Tangerine flowers are a beautiful plate garnish.
While most people consider clementines a snack, you can use them in puddings, custards and tarts.
Use citrus juice as a tenderizer for meat. The meat gets tender, and you get a unique flavor.
Offer citrus as part of a healthy breakfast bar.

In the Backroom

Shipping
clementines

2.3-kilogram/ 5-pound containers
15 2-pound mesh bags
10 3-pound mesh bags

tangerines

43-lb. 4⁄5-bushel cartons/crates
40-lb. 4⁄5-bushel cartons
25-lb. cartons (Arizona, California)
21-lb. cartons

Grades
Florida

U.S. Fancy
Fancy No. 1
U.S. No. 1
U.S. No. 2
U.S. No. 2 russet

Fruit grown elsewhere in the U.S.

U.S. Fancy
U.S. No. 1
U.S. No. 1 bronze
U.S. No. 2
U.S. No. 2 russet
U.S. No. 3

Handling

Temperature: 45 to 48°F, 7 to 9°C
Relative humidity: 90-95%
Mist: no
Typical shelf life: 14 to 28 days
Odor producer. Specialty citrus produces odors that will be absorbed by meat, eggs and dairy products.