Gerhard Leodolter: “Citrus export season in full swing”

"The 2018/19 navel season was very difficult due to a huge crop, small sizes, horrible export markets and low pricing. This season volumes are smaller and more sustainable but we have some challenges such as high China tariffs, a shrinking Korean market and now Coronavirus adds several new challenges," - comments Gerhard Leodolter, Vice President, International Sales of Wonderful Citrus and POM Wonderful, the largest privately owned farming company in US. The California citrus season generally starts in November and runs through late spring/early summer while peak exports are January-March.


"We are currently exporting navels, lemons, “Halos” easy-peel mandarins, Texas grapefruit and our Mexican limes to Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. We are seeing a lot of growth in our “Halos” mandarins and are now exporting them to 10-12 countries". Wonderful Citrus will  begin exports of Valencia orange in April.


"Texas grapefruit is also seeing a lot of growth in Europe and Asia," - shares Mr. Leodolter. "We are also building an export program for Cara Cara oranges". Cara’s are a different type of navel orange with a different flavor profile. They are generally slightly smaller, sweeter, a little more tangy with a deep orange flesh and less acidic than navels but while they are quite popular in the US they are relatively unknown in overseas markets at the moment.


To learn more visit https://www.wonderfulcitrus.com/