Summer shipments of citrus, both domestically and from imports is looking good.
Seald Sweet International of Vero Beach, FL is a major importer of summer citrus and started receiving
clementines from Peru in early May with great color and high Brix. Lemons from Argentina began arriving the last half of May and imports will continue through August.
Chilean lemon imports are expected from late July until September or October, and lemons from Mexico should be available in the U.S. during September, October and November.
Seald Sweet also will have a large navel orange import program from South Africa and Chile this summer, which started in late June from South Africa and a few weeks later from Chile. Cara caras also should be arriving from South Africa and Chile.
Seald Sweet expects to have extra volume of Chilean murcotts this year, and South African navels are expected to be normal this year following a 25% to 30% drop because of water-related issues.
Consalo Family Farms, in Vineland, N.J., reports a solid crop coming from South Africa, which seem to be back to normal this season after a flood last year took out 10% to 15% of the citrus crop in the Citrusdal area of the province of Western Cape.
The company also works with summer citrus growers in Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, where great weather is reportedly resulting in good crops.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.