Duda Farm Fresh Foods has announced that the Florida-based company will now offer Meyer lemons all year round with additional volume from New Zealand, and boost its 12-month citrus offer by importing clementines and oranges from Chile as well as minneolas from Peru.
In an effort to meet the growing demand of the popular Meyer lemon, Duda said it has procured a relationship with growers in New Zealand to supplement the company’s domestic crop with promotable volume from May to September, just before the company’s California product becomes available from October to March.
“When demand is driving consumption of your product, you find a way to get the product when it is out of season,” said Mark Bassetti, senior vice-president of Duda Farm Fresh Foods, in a press release.
“Consumers are excited about Meyer lemons and seek to find them in stores, even when they are out of season. This presents our company with a great opportunity to deliver and provide our retail partners with a solution from a company that they know and trust. It is truly a win-win-win for everyone involved!”
Duda said the highlight of the New Zealand Meyer lemon season this year will be slightly larger fruit than in past years.
Sales will be supported by category data and an online sales kit that includes recipes for consumers as well as point-of-sale material.
Duda said the expansion of its citrus lines demonstrates the company’s commitment to providing its customers and consumers with a year-round supply.
The company is looking forward to excellent-tasting clementines from Chile, where slight drought conditions in the growing region have helped with higher sugars in early fruit.
Peruvian minneola arrivals will also show “outstanding eating quality” and come packed in special minneola bags this year, according to Duda.
In addition, the company is looking forward to sourcing citrus from Uruguay, which recently received approval to ship to the US.
“In light of this, Duda Farm Fresh Foods will now provide customers with an even more reliable source for citrus products from March to October including clementines, navels, valencias, satsumas and other varieties of oranges as well as lemons,” the company explained.
