California Ag Network

Tag: Fruit World

  • Fruit World Reports High Quality, But Lower Volume, For Early Season Central Valley Stone Fruit

    Fruit World, a family-owned, values-driven grower-shipper of organic and conventional fruit, has been harvesting and shipping delicious organic apricots and cherries since mid-April from their Central Valley orchards. “The March freeze tempered early stone fruit production volumes throughout California, especially compared to the banner year we had in 2021,” explained CJ Buxman, Fruit World co-founder. “Fortunately, the fruit that set is looking good, and all our ranches are yielding great product.”

    Severe weather events this spring impacted California’s cherry crops substantially. “We have been extremely fortunate that our organic cherries from the Patterson area were eleven days earlier than last year and had exceptional quality and a larger peak size. We will finish shipping our cherries by the end of next week with Corals, Brooks and Tulares,” said Fruit World Director of Sales, Cindy Richter.

    As a family operation that is focused on quality and sustainability, Fruit World continues to expand their use of cardboard punnet clamshells. “We have found many of the consumers who are seeking premium fruit, especially organic varieties, are also seeking out more sustainable packaging options,” reveals Bianca Kaprielian, Fruit World co-founder and CEO.

    Grower partnerships have been key to Fruit World’s growth and success. “We are fortunate to have formed long-term relationships with several growers who share our values, dedication to farming, and approach to business,” Kaprielian said. “Blossom Hill’s apricots and Masumoto Family Farm’s peaches and nectarines allow us to provide more varieties, higher volumes and longer seasons of top-notch fruit. They are seamless brand extensions, and fully integrated into the Fruit World family.”

    “No farmer works alone. We depend on partners like organisms in the living soil, good neighbors, talented farm workers, to name a few,” said Nikiko Masumoto, fourth-generation farmer and artist. “Fruit World is one of our loyal partners. We get to focus on what we do best in the fields and Fruit World helps us find a home for our fruit. We couldn’t do it without them!”

    Today’s consumers are thoughtful about the environment and sustainability, and appreciate high-quality fruit packed with flavor. Delight them with extraordinary organic cherries, apricots, peaches and nectarines, all grown by family farms, and available from Fruit World.

    For more information or to place an order, call (559) 650-0334, or visit fruitworldco.com to learn more about the Fruit World story.

  • Fruit World Anticipates Strong Volumes of Organic Minneolas, Blood Oranges and Cara Caras Through April

    Fruit World, a family-owned, flavor-focused grower-shipper of organic and conventional citrus and more, is reporting a strong season for their premium specialty citrus, including organic Minneola tangelos, Blood oranges and Cara Cara oranges. While California growers are experiencing shortened seasons of navel and mandarin oranges, Fruit World expects a gap-free and strong transition to Valencia season.

    “Between last year’s heavy crop and early summer heat, the state has lower production volumes of navels and mandarins, but we’re maintaining good quantities to ship through an early season end of late-March to early-April,” said Bianca Kaprielian, Fruit World co-founder and CEO. “Ending the season early ensures high quality and exceptional color throughout. And since citrus is an alternate bearing crop, we predict a return to steady volumes next season.”

    Fruit World expects a seamless transition from navels to Valencias by mid-April. The company anticipates consistent volumes of the summer variety, especially as the season ramps up in May, with availability through the beginning of October.

    “We’re also seeing impressive volumes of quality fruit for our specialty citrus varieties, and expect to be shipping into April,” Kaprielian continued. “The overall quality is top notch, and supply is strong for our Minneolas, Blood oranges and Cara Caras, with peak flavor expected from now through the end of the season.”

    This is also shaping up to be a banner year for organic lemons from both the Desert (District 3) and Central Valley (District 1) regions, with load volumes available weekly and excellent ad opportunities into May.

    “Our emphasis on flavor and fun, bold packaging is paying off for our customers, and consumers are asking for the Fruit World brand,” added Kaprielian, “Our statewide growing regions provide us with year-round supply of lemons and orange varieties. In addition to coolers in the desert and Fillmore, we offer consolidated pickup—including desert production—at our cooler in Reedley. This gives our retail and wholesale partners the benefit of a convenient and consistent loading location for all products throughout the year.”

    Fruit World commemorated the Lunar New Year in February with ½ bushel, 10-pound cartons and 4-pound clamshells of stem-and-leaf mandarins in their new Lucky Tiger label. “Beyond Lunar New Year in early February, the stem-and-leaf mandarins are maintaining appeal,” noted CJ Buxman, co-founder of Fruit World and organic citrus grower. “Our stem-and-leaf production increases every year as consumers have confidence the fresh leaves are indicative of recent harvest and the freshest fruit. We’re one of the few companies offering organic stem-and-leaf mandarins as well, which are available to our partners upon request.”

    For more information or to place an order, call (559) 650-0334 or visit fruitworldco.com.

    About Fruit World:
    Fruit World is a fresh and creative produce company with generations of history. Fruit World grows and ships the most flavorful fruit in California—including organic and conventional citrus, organic grapes, organic stone fruit, and more—and works with customers who share a passion for quality and taste. They’re all about honoring their growers, staying true to their farming heritage, and keeping family farming thriving into future generations. Visit fruitworldco.com or find them on social media at linkedin.com/company/fruitworld, instagram.com/fruitworldco, and facebook.com/fruitworldcompany.

  • Bountiful Crop of Organic CA Citrus Now Shipping From Fruit World

    Fruit World, a family-owned, flavor-focused grower-shipper of organic and conventional fruit, has announced they expect a robust citrus season, particularly for this year’s organic lemon crop. Promotable volumes of organic lemons from California’s desert region are anticipated through early March. Fruit World will also offer a diverse citrus program throughout the season, including organic and conventional mandarins, organic oranges, and organic specialty citrus such as sweet limes and Minneola tangelos.

    “This year’s organic lemon crop is looking very strong—both in terms of volume and quality—and we’re seeing exceptional taste, appearance, and juiciness,” shared Bianca Kaprielian, Fruit World co-founder and CEO. “This year’s desert volume makes for great ad opportunities through March, with our Central Valley ranches filling out availability through May.”

    Fruit World also expects a strong organic specialty citrus program this year. “This is our second year offering organic sweet limes, and we are already delivering promotable volumes which should last into December,” Kaprielian added. “This variety pairs the classic fresh lime flavor with exceptional sweetness, making them perfect for juicing, as a salad topping, or even cut into wedges as a snack because they are so sweet.”

    Fruit World’s flagship mandarin program will kick off in early November, starting with stem & leaf Satsumas and their proprietary Early Dulce mandarin variety. Organic Satsumas and Clementines will start in November, with additional varieties available into April.

    A lighter than typical season is expected for mandarins this year, a concern seen industry-wide due to excessive heat in May and June paired with last year’s large crop set affecting this year’s bloom. “To establish high flavor and exceptional color right from the start of the season, we plan to start shipping mandarins and navels about two weeks later than usual and have a slightly earlier end to the season,” noted CJ Buxman, co-founder of Fruit World and organic citrus grower. “This shift also allows us to ensure uninterrupted supply of high-quality fruit throughout the season.”

    In addition, the company has already started shipping the popular organic Rio Red grapefruit variety. “Our California-grown Rio Reds are top-notch quality and have beautiful interior color. We’ve seen strong demand, partly due to last season’s freeze in Mexico and Texas which affected the overall grapefruit supply,” said Buxman.

    Navel oranges will start shipping at the end of October, followed by Minneola tangelos in early December, with the season rounding out with Cara Caras and blood oranges starting in January.

    As they plan for the future, Fruit World is expanding their specialty citrus program by planting organic mandarinquats, kumquats, lemonade lemons and more that will be available in upcoming seasons. The company also has a significant amount of mandarin and navel acreage in transition from conventional to organic, including heirloom navels in their second year of transition, so coming years should see increased organic volume.

    For more information or to place an order, call (559) 650-0334 or visit fruitworldco.com.

  • Bountiful Fruit World Crop of Organic Thomcord Grapes to Harvest Soon

    Fruit World, a family-owned, flavor-focused grower-shipper of organic and conventional fruit and the largest California grower of organic Thomcord grapes, has announced it expects to begin shipping this popular variety by the end of July, with strong, promotable volumes available from mid-August through early-October. Thomcord seedless grapes are a hybrid of Concord and Thompson Seedless grapes, with the rich, full Concord flavor and the tender skin and seedless qualities of the Thompson.

    “We are already getting text messages from consumers asking when our organic Thomcords will be available,” said Fruit World co-founder Bianca Kaprielian. “They love the Thomcord flavor profile, and appreciate the opportunity to communicate directly with the growers through our Thomcord Tales promotion campaign, which is now in its fourth year.”

    Seven years since planting, Fruit World’s Thomcord vines are now fully mature and heavy with luscious purple clusters. “The recent warm weather in California’s Central Valley is rapidly increasing the color and brix, so we’ll begin harvesting 7-10 days earlier than last year,” said CJ Buxman, co-founder of Fruit World.

    Fruit World Thomcord grapes are available in 10 x 2 lb recyclable and compostable paper totes, with bright, colorful graphics that have proven very popular with consumers. The company will also be shipping 20 x 1 lb clamshells.

    In 2020, Fruit World shipped their organic Thomcord grapes across the United States, in addition to air freighting to customers in Asia. “While we anticipate this year’s crop to be heavier than in 2020, last year we sold out in mid-September,” Kaprielian added. “We encourage retailers to contact us early to confirm their orders and meet the high consumer demand for this popular variety.”

    Fruit World Kyoho Grapes

    In addition to Thomcord grapes, Fruit World will be shipping Kyoho grapes this season. Highly prized and renowned for their robust flavor, especially in Asian markets, this seeded, slip-skin variety has large, round, black berries. “People get together to share the Kyoho eating experience,” said Buxman. “It’s much more than a casual snacking fruit.” The vines are young, so limited quantities are available in 2021 in 2 lb, 3 lb and 4 lb clamshells, with specialty packs also available upon request.

    The company will also offer exclusive limited supplies of Pete Wolf’s legendary black, red and green heirloom grape varieties from mid-July through October. Pete Wolf is one of California’s first organic growers, a well-respected grape expert, and a long-term Fruit World growing partner.

    For more information or to place an order, call (559) 650-0334 or visit fruitworldco.com.

  • Stone Fruit Season Kicks Off With Early Season Organic Cherries and Apricots

    Fruit World, a family-owned, flavor-focused grower-shipper of organic and conventional fruit, is now shipping their organic cherries and will begin packing and shipping organic apricots the first week of May. “What a difference one year makes,” said Bianca Kaprielian, Fruit World co-founder and CEO. “2020 was a bumpy stone fruit season in California, but this year we had enough chill hours and favorable weather, and the trees are full of great looking fruit.”

    Unaffected by the late April rains, Fruit World’s Coral, Lynn and Tioga cherries are at peak flavor. Packed at Podesta Packing in Linden, CA, a new, state-of-the-art optical sorter ensures that only the best of the best cherries make it into the retail pack. “The fruit looks spectacular. We are really happy with this year’s crop, and it looks great in our fun and bright packaging,” said Richter. Fruit World’s organic cherry season continues through the end of May.

    “I’ve never seen the trees so heavy with apricots,” said Fruit World sales director, Cindy Richter. “It was a great set. The color and sugars are still developing, a week or so behind schedule due to the weather cooling off a bit, but as soon as we start shipping we’ll have promotable volumes through June and maybe into July.” Fruit World grows organic apricots in Reedley, CA. Continuing a long and fruitful partnership, Fruit World is also marketing Blossom Hill apricots from their ranches in Patterson, CA. In addition to the standard pack styles, this year they are excited to offer a new sustainable cardboard clamshell.

    When it comes to peaches and nectarines, Fruit World is the exclusive marketer of the world-renowned organic Masumoto Family Farm fruit. “We appreciate growers who share our values and vision. That’s why we’re super excited about our partnership with Masumoto Family Farm, bringing their legendary peaches and nectarines to market,” Kaprielian effused. “And we’re also excited to begin shipping organic peaches this year from our own orchard.”

    If your customers long for the juicy, flavorful stone fruit their parents and grandparents reminisce about, delight them this year with organic cherries, apricots, peaches and nectarines from Fruit World.

    For more information or to place an order, call (559) 650-0334, or visit fruitworldco.com to learn more about the Fruit World story.

    About Fruit World

    Fruit World is a fresh and creative produce company with generations of history. Fruit World grows and ships the most flavorful fruit in California—including organic and conventional citrus, organic grapes, organic stone fruit, and more—and works with customers who share a passion for quality and taste. They’re all about honoring their growers, staying true to their farming heritage, and keeping family farming thriving into future generations. Visit fruitworldco.com.

  • Fruit World Enters Citrus Season with New Sustainable Packaging and Increased Volume of Organic and Conventional Offerings

    Fruit World, a family-owned, flavor-focused grower-shipper of organic and conventional fruit, enters their 2020 citrus season with bold, new recyclable packaging and increased availability of 100% California-grown organic and conventional mandarins, along with organic oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and sweet limes.

    “We’re really excited about our new fun and colorful conventional mandarin packaging design, especially because it’s fully-recyclable,” said Bianca Kaprielian, Fruit World co-founder and CEO. “We love the extension of the Fruit World brand, and how these bags add to the sustainable values which are core to our company.” All Fruit World cartons and bags are bright, bold and distinctive, and perfect for creative retail displays. 

    Fruit World is one of few growers with uninterrupted season-long programs for both their organic and conventional mandarins. “While orchard yield per acre across the state is expected to be on par with the past few years, we’re excited to be entering mandarin season with increased availability from our own farms and growers,” said CJ Buxman, co-founder of Fruit World and an organic mandarin grower. “On the conventional side, our proprietary sweet Early Dulce and Dulce mandarins will be first to market in mid-October, followed by organic and conventional Satsuma mandarins, then Clementines. We’ll go all the way into June with our Gold Nugget and proprietary Klondike varieties.” By mid-November, all Fruit World mandarin varieties will be available as either stem & leaf or bald fruit.

    Fruit World has just started shipping new crop organic Rio Red grapefruit, available in bright header bags and the company’s signature bold cartons. Organic navel oranges are close behind, shipping in mid- to late-October once Valencia oranges are finished packing. “Navel orange yield is expected to be down 5% this season,” said Buxman. “However, we have added some acreage to our mix, so our supply will increase by about 15%.” Additionally, Fruit World has a year-round organic lemon program with promotable volumes starting with desert-grown lemons in early November, through the end of the Central Valley harvest in March.

    “We’re committed to providing the most flavorful fruit, and the best customer service possible,” said Kaprielian. “We excel at working with our retail and wholesale partners and tailoring programs to their needs, so they can best serve their customers.”

    For more information or to place an order, call (559) 650-0334, or visit fruitworldco.com to learn more about the Fruit World story.

    About Fruit World
    Fruit World is a fresh and creative produce company with generations of history. Fruit World grows and ships the most flavorful fruit in California—including organic and conventional citrus, organic grapes, organic stone fruit, and more—and works with customers who share a passion for quality and taste. They’re all about honoring their growers, staying true to their farming heritage, and keeping family farming thriving into future generations. Visit fruitworldco.com.

  • Largest CA Grower of Organic Thomcord Grapes Gears Up for Harvest

    Fruit World Co., a family-owned, flavor-focused grower-shipper of organic and conventional fruit and the largest California grower of organic Thomcord grapes, has announced that it expects to begin shipping this popular variety the first week of August in new high-graphic 2 lb recyclable paper totes. Known for being especially aromatic and flavorful, Thomcord grapes are a hybrid of Concord and Thompson Seedless grapes.
     
    “We’re about a week away from harvesting our Thomcords and the crop is looking great,” said CJ Buxman, co-founder of Fruit World. “We expect consumers who eagerly await the arrival of these unique and delicious grapes each year are going to be thrilled with them when grocers start stocking their shelves. Demand is always high for this variety, and we anticipate that trend to continue this year.”
     
    Fruit World is forecasting strong Thomcord grape volumes with promotable numbers available in late August. The supply is expected to last until mid-October.
     
    This season’s crop will be available in 10 x 2 lb recyclable and compostable paper totes, with new, bold and colorful graphics. In previous years, this paper tote packaging was popular among consumers for its portability and sustainability, and the new high-graphic bag is anticipated to stand out at retail. The company will be shipping 20 x 1 lb clamshells as well, to meet current consumer demand for packaged premium products.
     
    The company also announced that it will continue a consumer engagement program first used in 2018 and then again last year that encourages consumers to text Fruit World about their Thomcord grape eating experience. Dubbed “Thomcord Tales,” the campaign involves “Text-me” cards being added to packages, and has proven to be a fun and easy way for consumers to provide feedback.
     
    “We try to reply to every Thomcord Tales text we get from consumers, and they seem to enjoy the interaction as much as we do,” said Fruit World co-founder Bianca Kaprielian. “Consumers’ love for Thomcords really comes across in their messages, and retailers have shared that this personal touch drives significant repeat sales.”
     
    In addition to Thomcord grapes, Fruit World will be shipping 10 other organic grape varieties to retailers and wholesalers, including a limited supply from the heritage vines of grower partner Pete Wolf, one of California’s first organic growers and a recognized grape expert. Fruit World is accepting orders now for its high-demand specialty grape varieties. Call (559) 650-0334 for more information or visit fruitworldco.com

    About Fruit World Co.
    Fruit World Co. is a fresh and creative produce company with generations of history. Fruit World Co. grows and ships the most flavorful fruit in California—including organic and conventional citrus, organic grapes, organic stone fruit, and more—and works with customers who share a passion for quality and taste. They’re all about honoring their growers, staying true to their farming heritage, and keeping family farming thriving into future generations. Visit fruitworldco.com.