Limoneira Begins Transition to South American Imports to Maintain Year-Round Supply
SANTA PAULA, CA - With strategies in place to ensure its customers have citrus year-round, Limoneira made note that, as California’s coastal lemon harvest shows signs of slowing, it has an alternate supply source in its South American crops.
“Having a more consistent, fresh supply throughout the summer has helped us build our programs through the Midwest and many other regions,” stated Brett Johnson, Western Sales Director.
The transition to the Southern Hemisphere growing season is well underway, a press release noted, and this includes supply from Chile and Argentina. In these countries, Limoneira has control over production, growing partners, and associate producers. Having its own production and packing in these areas helps the company maintain consistent volume and quality control.
All of this planning resides under Limoneira’s “One World of Citrus™” strategy.
“Keeping our shipments fresh from California and transitioning to our new Chilean and Argentinian crops allows us to provide the best service and quality to our customers throughout the U.S. and Canada,” says John Caragliano, Eastern Sales Director.
The company reported that volume is up from Chile with exceptional quality. While total production volume in Argentina is down in general across the industry, volume for Limoneira’s own “One World of Citrus” is significantly up as young trees and associates’ plantings come to fruition.
As soon as the lemons from the Southern Hemisphere hit the U.S., volume availability is handled throughout the country from Limoneira’s distribution centers in New Jersey, Florida, Texas, as well as all California. Multiple packaging opportunities are available from all of these shipping points.
Along with a partnership with JB Hunt and other trucking companies, Limoneira provides regular transportation from the East to the Midwest and South, as well as from the West to other destinations throughout North America.
As you search for a supply-side citrus partner, be sure to keep Limoneira in mind.