VALENCIA, CA - With the competitive citrus category heating up as a year-round staple for produce departments and consumers, Sunkist Growers is responding to the heightened demand with a new development in its growing portfolio. The company is kicking off the 2017-18 citrus season with a fresh take on its mandarin program as the recent addition of Mulholland Citrus to the Sunkist cooperative expands the program’s reach and potential.

“All of our grower and shipper members are working together ahead of what we expect to be another strong citrus season. It’s this type of collaboration that I think makes Sunkist truly unique,” Joan Wickham, Director of Communications at Sunkist Growers, shares with me. “Mulholland joining the group gives us even more knowledge and experience to draw upon and also a significant lift in volume, which presents an opportunity to put a new twist on our mandarin program.”

Both Sunkist’s and Mulholland Citrus’ sales and marketing approaches align, as well as the organizations’ values. With eight million additional bags, Mulholland’s volume is doubling Sunkist's existing program. Mulholland Citrus will join the network of packinghouses that comprise the Sunkist cooperative.

“We expect to start shipping California mandarins on November 1, 2017, and will be offering retailers the same support and partnership they expect from Sunkist, along with fresh packaging and point of sale materials that stand out in today’s consumer marketplace,” Joan shares.

The Sunkist cooperative brings more than 40 fresh citrus varieties to market with thousands of grower members in California and Arizona. As stewards of the land, Sunkist is always looking to balance their values, business strategies, and growth, to meet the demands of the consumer, the environment, and the evolving category.

Sunkist Growers