Sunkist affiliated citrus packer-shipper Porterville Citrus has acquired LoBue Citrus' packing operations.
Under the agreement, the LoBue family will continue to own and operate their family farms, consisting of 1,000 acres of citrus, extending their sales reach through the Sunkist cooperative.
Porterville Citrus will integrate the LoBue Citrus packing facility in Lindsay into their operations over the upcoming 2017/18 campaign. It will also take in a large portion of LoBue’s grower network, increasing the Navel orange, mandarin and lemon acreage of Porterville Citrus and the Sunkist cooperative as a whole.
“LoBue Citrus has a rich history in the industry, and we are pleased to be able to help them continue that legacy through our organisation,” said Jim Phillips, president of Porterville Citrus. “The purchase also marks further growth for Porterville Citrus, positioning us for a strong season ahead.”
