Along with the winter months comes the highly anticipated California citrus season. From the farm to the consumer kitchen, everyone looks forward to this time of year when reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks can be found spread across the grocery store. Plus, with immune-boosting benefits, this category comes into the spotlight at the perfect time of year. We asked a few category experts what buyers should know going into the season…
“With California citrus back in season, we’re giving retailers new tools to bring the category to life. From our refreshed merchandising suite and grower bins to the return of our Power with the Pink Orange™ campaign and holiday programs, it’s all about helping shoppers connect with citrus in meaningful ways. Whether it’s bold displays, vibrant packaging, or storytelling that inspires, we’re creating a path to purchase that’s fresh, flexible, and full of flavor.”
“We’ve recently added a key industry veteran to our citrus team who is really shaking up the deck. Plus, our grower base and our supply chain going to market is the best it’s ever been this year. We’re coming into the season super strong on quality, which is bolstered by our growers who produce premium fruit. We also have new growers under our umbrella that we’re really excited about. We hope this will be our best year ever in citrus.”
“Winter is peak season for citrus, and Bee Sweet’s winter lineup is ready to complement the holiday season! All our varieties are packaged in eye-catching bags and cartons, and our matching point-of-sale material is perfect for drawing attention to the produce aisle. Our display bins provide additional shelf space for customers interested in marketing the citrus category, while our header cards offer a call-to-action for shoppers interested in learning more about specific varieties. In the digital space, we offer vibrant recipes for consumers, as well as fun, informative videos that are perfect for those looking to learn more about our product line.”
“Citrus season is always a big moment, and this year we’re making it bigger than ever. You’ll see Nothing Peelz Better come to life across streaming, bold billboards, and sampling events that put fruit directly in shoppers’ hands. By showing up in every channel, we’re keeping citrus top-of-mind through the busiest shopping months of the year. What makes it different is that we’re not just promoting citrus—we’re growing, packing, and delivering it with the quality and consistency Fowler Packing is known for. That combination of bold marketing and trusted quality is what makes our program stand out and keeps citrus driving sales all season long.”
“At Kings River Packing, we see the end of the year as a time to celebrate citrus. Our family has always believed in sharing fruit that speaks for itself—fresh, flavorful, and dependable. As shoppers gather for the holidays, citrus naturally brightens tables, makes thoughtful gifts, and adds freshness to winter meals. Retailers can take advantage of this season by leaning into the versatility of citrus—promoting it for entertaining, healthy snacking, and gifting. We’re here to support those efforts with dependable supply and insights that help connect citrus to what matters most: people and moments.”
“We continue to offer a 52-week citrus program inclusive of imported and U.S.-grown fruit. Our domestic California season is steadily underway, and this year, we are introducing a Stem & Leaf Mandarin program, available in both branded clamshell and bulk packaging. The premium packaging is a festive red design that lends itself well to creative displays. Stem & Leaf Mandarins are as sweet, juicy, and easy to peel as your favorite Mandarins. They’re excellent for holiday and gifting promotions, particularly for Lunar New Year. The fresh green leaves create an eye-catching destination in retailers’ citrus sets. We look forward to partnering with our customers and supporting them with personalized merchandising on this exciting new offering from now through March.”
“At Mountain View Fruit Sales, we’re excited to share the fresh, sweet taste of our California citrus this season. Our citrus is grown with care by families who love what they do, and that quality shines through in every piece of fruit. We strive to make it easy for our retailers to showcase fruit that looks beautiful, tastes amazing, and brings a burst of California sunshine straight to the produce aisle.”
“Homegrown Organic Farms is proud to offer a year-round organic citrus program that delivers both core varietals like Navel oranges and lemons as well as specialty items such as Blood oranges and pummelos. As we head into the holidays, citrus is a perfect category for retailers to highlight, bringing shoppers vibrant, organic fruit that is Grown with Care. We’ve been growing organic citrus since 1998, and that legacy resonates with consumers at the shelf. By leaning into organic and seasonal citrus promotions, retailers can inspire trust, drive sales, and connect with consumers looking for healthy, flavorful options to brighten their celebrations.” 
