Suntreat Kicks Off The Suki Mandarin Season

DINUBA, CA – The next great citrus product from Suntreat is here with the kickoff of the Suki Mandarin season. The name Suki (pronounced SUE-KEY) translates to “love,” which is can be seen in the amount of extra care Suntreat puts in to make the highest possible quality mandarin, as well as the reaction consumers will have when they taste its tree-ripened flavor. Available through May, Sukis promise a big finale of full flavor for the citrus season.

“At Suntreat, we put in the extra time and care into making sure that Suki Mandarins are the best tasting and highest quality Golden Nuggets on the market,” Brett Burdsal, Director of Marketing for Suntreat. “Because we handle Sukis with the gentle care that you would provide for something as delicate as stonefruit, the flavor and shelf-life of the product surpasses anything else you see on the market.”

This year’s Suki crop, the first Suntreat will be offering at promotable volumes, was first picked March 6th, and will begin shipping out to retailers early next week. The Suki harvest process begins with each mandarin being placed in small field totes meant to better protect the fruit than with typical large harvest bins. Once in the packing house, Suki Mandarins are then cured and held for a few days to help the rind toughen and prevent break down. Lastly, the Suki Mandarins are processed on the priority soft Sumo Citrus line, hand-packed, rather than machine-packed, rounding out the gentler process and bringing a better-quality item to retailers.

“Last year, when we started handling the Sukis differently, we immediately noticed we were yielding a better product with greater taste and a longer shelf-life. How we pick, how we pack—it all leads to a stronger flavor and superior shelf-life, making Suki Mandarins stand out among the crowd,” said Daniel Kass, Vice President of Sales and Business Development.

Suntreat is also welcoming this year’s Suki Mandarins season with freshly-designed packaging to reflect the similarities the citrus has with its sister product, the Sumo Citrus. With high-graphic and bold colors bearing the Suntreat family look, Suki Mandarins designed to draw attention on the shelf. And, for interested retailers, every fifteenth half bushel box and 2 and 3 lb bag comes with a 10-inch round sign detailing Suki Mandarins and retailer information.

“We’re really excited about it to be able to show off the new look for Suki. We think the name is going to ring true, the box is going to pop, and the taste is going to be second only to our Sumo Citrus,” Brett continued. “With the California mandarin season coming to an end, Sukis are the grand finale and last big burst of flavor in the produce department until Summer flavors roll in. Next to Sumos, Sukis are by far the most requested and memorable fruit we grow and a way to finish with a big bang.” 

Joining the likes of Suntreat’s other signature citrus varieties, Sumos and Zunas, Suki Mandarins are continuing the Suntreat tradition of delivering innovative California craft citrus and top-notch flavor.

About AC Foods

AC Foods is a regenerative food family of farms, nurseries, packinghouses, and marketing and sales companies with the shared purpose of growing access to better, tastier, and healthier food. AC Foods is committed to improving the land on which we farm and making the communities where we operate, better places. Suntreat and Sumo Citrus are both proud members of the AC Foods Family.

About Suntreat

Suntreat Packing & Shipping Co. is an independently owned and operated citrus packing company located in the San Joaquin Valley. Suntreat packs and sells California’s finest citrus – from perennial favorites such as lemons and oranges to emerging varieties and specialties including Sumo Citrus®, Oro Blanco grapefruit, and Gold Nugget mandarins. Throughout its 50-plus year history, Suntreat has partnered with the finest growers and built its business based on innovation, reliability, and consistently great products. Today the third and fourth generation of Suntreat’s family farmers maintain their passion for growing citrus and delivering top-quality fruit. For more information, visit www.suntreat.com.

Source: Suntreat Packing & Shipping Co.