<p>Sunkist Growers is revealing another billion-dollar revenue year for 2013. The company announced the financial results at the cooperative’s annual meeting on February 19th. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>This announcement marks the fourth consecutive billion-dollar year for Sunkist, with grower payments totaling $873 million, up from 2012 payments of $838 million, according to a press release.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“Over the past year, we have made significant advances on key strategic initiatives to position Sunkist for long-term growth and profitability,” said Sunkist President and CEO Russell Hanlin. “Acreage increases, the launch of the grower distribution program, the first year of our Ventura Coastal joint venture juice partnership, for-profit business gains and the headquarter building sale were significant business highlights of 2013.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p> “Profitable and competitive returns have fostered growth for Sunkist, allowing us to expand with the addition of a new grower/shipper and acreage increases among Sunkist’s existing packinghouses,” said Mark Gillette, re-elected Chairman of Sunkist’s Board of Directors and president of Sunkist-affiliated Gillette Citrus Inc. “In addition, our growers are continuing to expand production of newer varieties that consumers favor to position Sunkist for further growth in the current marketplace.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Sunkist launched the grower distribution program in 2013 to directly share annual earnings with the cooperative’s grower members as a result of cost containment efforts and positive results. The first full year of Sunkist’s juice processing partnership with Ventura Coastal LLC also marked 2013, which has greatly increased efficiencies for growers.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Sunkist’s for-profit businesses also made positive advances in 2013. “Our licensing team continues scouring the globe for opportunities and, as a result, Sunkist signed five new licensees in 2013,” noted Hanlin. The Sunkist brand is used to market 800 products in 86 countries, with 49 licensees in total.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>In addition, the cooperative sold the Sherman Oaks headquarters property and purchased a new building in Valencia, California that will serve as the future home of Sunkist Growers and Fruit Growers Supply Company.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“As with any business, the produce industry faces many challenges and opportunities, we try to remain focused on our opportunities,” said Sunkist’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Kevin Fiori. “Sunkist is well positioned for growth in the years to come and look forward to continuing to provide high-quality fruit to customers and consumers worldwide.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Congratulations Sunkist, on another fruitful year.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://trade.sunkist.com" target="_new">Sunkist Growers</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
