When grocers think of stocking summer fruit, their first thought is likely berries, peaches, melons and other quintessential seasonal favorites. But consumers still crave the fresh, bright taste of citrus, such as easy-to-peel navels or star ruby grapefruit, for snacks, meals and to complement light desserts and cocktails.
Having a produce department brimming with full-flavored options can help spur grocery visits, given that fresh produce is the top reason shoppers choose one store over another. In fact, produce is a major component of most shopping trips, with two-thirds of consumers reporting they have started eating more over the past two years, according to a Deloitte study.
As grocers wonder how they will stock ample variety in July and August and into the fall, it's Summer Citrus from South Africa to the rescue. The name says it all…Summer Citrus imports flavorful citrus sourced from South Africa, which has a climate that is ideal for high-quality fruit. With favorable growing conditions similar to Spain and California, its seasons are reversed, which is why summer is the ideal time to purchase citrus from South Africa.
Newfound availability
Retailers have traditionally made citrus a secondary item in the summer, compared with conventional summer fruit and local offerings that often fill the shelves during these months, notes, Chris Cockle, senior director of retail sales at Wonderful Citrus. "However, this tendency was typically not driven by consumer demand, but rather lower availability, variability in quality and volatility among different shippers and countries of origin," he says, historical challenges which Summer Citrus imports can solve. "As supplies increase and consumers accelerate their intake of vitamin C in their daily routines, citrus will command more of a presence in-store during the summer months compared to the past."
For his part, this is the first year his distribution company has been able to offer a true year-round program of high-quality Wonderful Halos mandarins, which represents a huge segment of retailer demand. "Having Halos available year-round offers significant differentiation, delivering a reputation for quality and consistency that prioritizes sweetness and drive sales. We are now able to manage transitions between the southern and northern hemispheres and different countries of origin to add value and give surety of excellence and availability of these tasty treats," Cockle says. Summer Citrus offers the same high-level quality specifications as is found in the domestic season, which means that consumers will have a consistent eating experience with the taste they expect.
Promote tasty citrus to boost produce sales
While sweet, seedless Halos are coveted for their grab-and-go appeal to throw into lunch boxes when the school bus rolls around, this trait is just as important to consumers who are on the go for summer adventures, whether at the beach, on a hike or headed to day camp. Just one serving of two medium Halos contain 50% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C and provides a refreshing, healthy alternative to sweet or salty snacks.
But, Halos aren't the only citrus choice that will wow shoppers in the summer. Juicy, tart Star Ruby grapefruit are an excellent choice to start the morning right or to add zing to a summer cocktail, spinach salad or even a cold refreshing glass of infused water. Versatile citrus can provide a flavorful touch to caprese skewers or create the basis for a healthful popsicle or icy granita.
And the quantities available from Summer Citrus offer assurance there will be adequate volumes for grocers to confidently promote.
The increase in supply of summer citrus, combined with accelerating interest from consumers, means the citrus category will command more of a presence in-store during the summer months going forward, Cockle says. "It's important that summer citrus suppliers stay focused on quality to retain consumers from season to season."
This devotion is one of Summer Citrus' key benefits, says Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa. "We use an advanced cold sterilization process to preserve freshness during shipping, and computerized tracking allows us to trace cartons directly to specific orchards in South Africa, thus assuring consumers of our reliable goodness," she says.
That quality stands out to distributors like Wonderful Citrus. "We work closely with our import partners, such as those from South Africa, and their quality standards fit perfectly into our standards for the programs we offer domestically," Chis Cockle from Wonderful Citrus says.
Do you want to help your shoppers increase their intake of healthy produce with Summer Citrus? Click here for tantalizing recipes and other information on Summer Citrus' nutritious goodness.