Category Archive

A new study by a market research and consulting firm has projected the freeze-dried fruits (FDF) market will rise at a positive rate through 2030. Some of the key takeaways from the Future Market Insights report are: Increasing demand for whole FDF is expected to propel growth in the coming years. Orchard and citrus fruits such as kiwi, pear, peach … Read More

Global demand for the citrus alcohol market is set to hover at approximately a 5 percent growth rate, as increasing preference for craft beer and rising alcohol consumption create fertile ground, according to a recent study. The study looked at citrus alcohol growth in more than 20 countries. “Citrus, owing to its flavor and strong acidity, has become an integral … Read More

The global citrus water market is projected to reflect strong growth in 2020 in spite of the widespread coronavirus outbreak. While lockdown restrictions have limited demand from the food-service sector, lucrative opportunities have arisen for the short-term owing to the demand for functional beverages during the crisis period. A recent report by Future Market Insights indicates that demand for the … Read More

Marisa Zansler, Florida Department of Citrus director of economic and market research, gave an update on fresh citrus prospects for the 2020–21 growing season during the recent virtual citrus Packinghouse Day meeting. Florida fresh citrus movement increased during the 2019–20 season, which was largely attributed to increased production, Zansler said. In addition to increased production, COVID-19 concerns served to move … Read More

Last week, the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) held a live webinar to present highlights from the 2019–20 fiscal year. Areas covered included budgets, scientific research, marketing and economic market research. This past year has been one of change, transformation and success for FDOC, as it has worked in collaboration with industry to meet the needs of both growers and … Read More

By Chip Henry The current state of the commercial citrus marketplace in Florida justifies the need for small growers to find niche markets in which to sell their fruit. Deplorable prices for juice oranges are predicted to continue through the upcoming season. A recent University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences economic report indicates the possibility that perhaps … Read More

By Sarah Bostick Citrus growers are finding the need to diversify their marketing channels to stay competitive. Consumers are increasingly interested in learning about where their food comes from. It can be good business to diversify into markets designed to capture the attention of these consumers. CONNECTING WITH CONSUMERSTim and Hiedi Brown are third-generation owners of Brown’s Grove in Sarasota … Read More

Aaron Himrod indicated he was cautiously optimistic about Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) members’ ability to grow fruit in the face of HLB at the association’s annual meeting on March 12. But Himrod, the outgoing association president, said the industry’s emphasis now needs to be on marketing. That and other activities at the meeting were described by association Executive … Read More

SVN | Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate summarized Florida citrus land sales in 2019 during the company’s annual Land Conference Feb. 27-28. Company founder and managing director Dean Saunders pointed out that citrus acreage in Florida is approximately half of its pre-HLB disease level. He said the 300 boxes of production that are now considered good would have been a … Read More

A presentation that David Armano, global strategy director at Edelman/Edible, made at the Florida Citrus Mutual annual conference this summer focused on marketing via social media. His company is the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) consumer marketing agency. Following his presentation, he and FDOC Executive Director Shannon Shepp discussed the use of social media for marketing Florida citrus. “We found … Read More