Small citrus will remain very limited for the remainder of the season. This is an
industry-wide sizing issue driven by extended fog and rain in California, which have pushed Navels into larger sizes faster than normal and reduced harvest days, leaving very limited availability of small fruit. California Navel production continues to favor larger sizes (56–72 count), while small sizes (88, 113, and 138) are extremely tight and unlikely to improve through Navels and into Valencias.
What this means for you:
• Small Navels are the most difficult to source and will continue to be constrained.
• Mandarin availability is tighter than normal due to fruit drop.
How to plan:
• Expect more substitutions, especially on small sizes.
• Flexibility on size and variety will be key to maintaining coverage.
• Larger-size Navels will be the most consistent option.
• Cara Caras and Mandarins may help fill gaps depending on timing.
• Small fruit availability is expected to remain the tightest part of the citrus market in the months ahead.
If you have questions, please contact your sales representative or
Customer Service at 773.927.8870.