FOWLER, Calif., – As California’s citrus domestic season nears an end, the Bee Sweet Citrus sales team is gearing up for another successful summer import program.
“As a grower, packer and shipper of premium citrus, our team takes pride knowing that we can provide product to our consumers year-round,” said Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Joe Berberian. “Over the last 15 years, we’ve been working closely with our Chilean partners to ensure that we can implement a successful, no-gap transition of citrus to our consumers; and we’re excited to kick-off another great season.”
During the months of June through October, Bee Sweet Citrus receives imported Clementines, Navel oranges, Cara Cara navels and lemons. The company’s sales team oversees all import clearance, logistics, inventory and conducts weekly market analysis calls with their international partners.
“All imported citrus is sent straight to our facility where it’s re-graded to ensure high quality,” said Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Jason Sadoian. “Our customers also have the option to re-pack the fruit to any specific pack style that they prefer during the program.”
To ensure that all imported product is safe, fresh and meets Bee Sweet’s standards in quality, the company’s food safety and production teams check that all product is certified and audited in food safety and sustainability.
“As a team, we work hard to make sure that our product not only meets, but exceeds, our consumer’s expectations,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Food Safety Manager Jesus Medina. “During our import season, our citrus is monitored under a strict CTPAT program, and we require that all of our Chilean product is harvested from ranches that are PrimusGFS and GAP certified.”
A voluntary program that is led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program oversees the product’s safety at every step of its supply chain. This ensures that all of Bee Sweet’s imported product is monitored over-seas, and is safe upon its arrival to America.
Like its domestic product, all of Bee Sweet’s Chilean partners harvest from ranches that are PrimusGFS and GAP certified. To obtain these certifications, ranches are audited based on its growing methods, its food safety program(s) and its product handling methods.
“Premium citrus is a necessity for our consumers,” continued Berberian. “Through our summer import program, we have the ability to meet consumer demand year-round.”
For more information regarding Bee Sweet’s summer import program, please call a sales representative at 559-834-4200 or visit the company’s website at www.beesweetcitrus.com
A grower, packer and shipper of California citrus, Bee Sweet Citrus is an emerging leader in today’s agriculture industry. Founded in 1987, Bee Sweet Citrus is a family owned and operated company, and provides over 15 different varieties of citrus to its consumers! Located in the heart of California’s Central Valley, Bee Sweet is focused on innovation, sustainability and customer satisfaction.
