VALENCIA, CA – Sunkist is helping retailers prepare for peak mandarin season with multiple packaging and point-of-sale options to take advantage of the category's recent boost in sales.

IRI Worldwide data indicates that mandarins lead all citrus categories in dollar sales at retail and are up 17.3%, representing almost 37% of all citrus sales for the last year, according to a press release from Sunkist. Mandarins also lead in pound sales, up just over 19%.

Joan Wickham, Sunkist’s Manager of Advertising and Public Relations, said that the rise in popularity of mandarins follows along with consumer demand for healthy, convenient snacks.

“Easy to peel and high in Vitamin C, mandarins fit the bill for healthy snacking and they are also juicy, sweet, and delicious,” she said, noting that the item is also great as an ingredient.

In fact, the company says, mandarins are trending in foodservice channels. Operators are using mandarins in recipes ranging from adult beverages, salads, desserts, and seafood appetizers. Clementines have also shown a strong increase on menus, with a nearly 40% spike over the last year, driven mainly by increased use in beverages.

Sunkist provides retailers with a host of packaging and point-of-sale options to help educate consumers about specialty mandarin varieties. These materials go a long way in helping to drive sales.

“Providing flavor profiles, nutrition information, recipes, and usage tips encourages consumers to experiment and enjoy mandarins in multiple ways,” said Julie DeWolf, Sunkist’s Director of Retail Marketing.

Sunkist offers Satsuma, Clementine, Royal, W. Murcott, and Gold Nugget mandarin varieties from late October through June with multiple packaging options, including the Sunkist® Smiles brand.

Sunkist