Growers in Florida’s central and southern citrus belts have long been familiar with ways to market and get paid for their fruit. But those elements of the citrus business are not so familiar in North Florida and South Georgia, where citrus is a relatively new enterprise for many. Some groves in that area are just being harvested for the first time or have only been harvested a few times. So, it was logical for speakers at a recent Cold-Tolerant Citrus Production Workshop in Perry to discuss citrus marketing and fruit contracts.
Kevin Athearn said grower marketing options include selling fruit to packinghouses or wholesale distributors or directly to foodservice or retail outlets. He added that growers can also sell directly to consumers through farmers markets, roadside stands or u-pick operations. Athearn is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences regional specialized agent at the North Florida Research and Education Center.
Read the full article on: citrusindustry.net.