PASADENA, CA - Sun Pacific is expanding its repertoire and driving category growth.

The latest to join the ranks of the company’s citrus offering is its new Vintage Sweets Heirloom Navel Oranges, which we previously reported just debuted this year, with brix levels individually tested for high sugar content.

“Consumers are looking for produce that provides superior quality and flavor for an exceptional eating experience – and they are willing to pay a premium price for it. That is exactly what Vintage Sweets provide,” Bob DiPiazza, President of Sun Pacific, said, according to a press release. “Our selection process for these navel oranges combines sensory aspects like touching, feeling, and smelling the fruit, with the science of testing of sugar levels to ensure just the right characteristics for that juicy, sweet perfection.”

Along with the addition of the Vintage Sweets, which are available in bulk, in three pound Giro bags, and in six count shrink wrapped trays, the company said that retailers will see millions more Cuties shipping nationwide.

“Cuties is America’s #1 favorite fruit brand and continues to hold consumers’ perception of the highest quality mandarins among all brands,” Victoria Nuevo-Celeste, Vice President of Marketing at Sun Pacific, stated in the release. “That’s why Cuties continues to be the fastest-selling mandarin in the U.S.”

DiPiazza added that Sun Pacific continues to be dedicated to bringing its retailers the supply they desire to meet consumer demand for Cuties, while maintaining its exceptional quality standards.

According to the company, its increased Cuties volume this season is the result of numerous factors, including:

• Many of Sun Pacific’s mandarin groves, plus the groves of some of its supporting growers, are maturing and producing more fruit.
• The company has added more grower partners to the Sun Pacific family.
• More partners meant more mandarins produced at a level that meets or exceeds Cuties high-quality standards.

Additionally, the company said that it has seen its Mighties Kiwis drive category growth since it was introduced to retailers last fall, capturing 78 percent of the branded kiwi market.

“Mighties provide a superior and consistent experience,” said Nuevo-Celeste. “When a consumer buys Mighties, they know they are getting fruit that is ready to simply cut, scoop out with a spoon, and eat. It’s simple, it tastes great and it’s packed with nutrients – making Mighties mighty appealing to consumers.”

Mighties comprised 40 percent of all U.S. kiwi sales, according to the release, and contributed significantly to the overall kiwi sales’ 13.4 percent growth in the country.

Available in one-, two-, three- and four-pound clamshell packages, Sun Pacific stated that its proprietary ripening process ensures that the fruit arrives at grocery stores “ripe and ready.” The company also looks to help consumers understand how to eat the fruit, as well as providing it at perfect ripeness, so that they know how to enjoy this nutritious fruit.

To see all that the company has to offer, learn about the new additions, and to test your cut-and-scoop skills with a kiwi in Sun Pacific’s The Mighties Challenge, stop by booth #415 at the PMA Fresh Summit convention in Atlanta, Georgia, October 24th and 25th.

Sun Pacific