Shipments of pummelos from Florida have just got underway as Chilean imports are now winding down.
Size and flavor are the best in years, reports Noble Citrus of Winter Haven, FL. Despite a freeze last spring, the grower/shipper notes volume is expected to match a year ago, but the brix and quality should be even better.
Following its Florida pummelo season are the Autumn Honey and Noble Juicy Crunch tangerine seasons, with the latter being the company’s proprietary premium tangerine. Tree health is noted to be excellent as the company expects expanded volume for both varieties from Florida.
This year, along with importing Chilean citrus–primarily lemons, navels and mandarins, which started at the beginning of July, and later Cara Caras and Minneolas at the end of July–the company is adding a new sourcing region to its mix. This winter it will now source fruit from California and along with Chile and Florida, it will give retailers and wholesalers a continuous supply program.
Noble Citrus has added Golden Star Citrus of Woodlake, CA to its mix of suppliers, starting in January 2027.
This allows the company to ship Navels, Cara Caras or Red Navels, and lemons January through May. Then in June, as California production winds down, Chilean imports start picking up and will go through September. After that, mid-October through December is the window for Florida-grown navels and lemons. In all, this provides 12 months of fresh navels and navel/orange juicing.