Sunkist Growers Spotlights Snackable Citrus Momentum, Category Performance, and More; Cassie Howard Details

VALENCIA, CA - Mandarins are not just a citrus category; they are a behavior. From how we design our produce displays at home to where we allocate our share of wallet, mandarins—at least in my house—remain the choice around which other choices are made. As we move quickly toward spring, companies like Sunkist Growers are bringing the results of snackable citrus momentum to retail partners across North America.

“Snackable citrus continues to be one of the most dynamic segments of the citrus category,” said Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing. “Our Sunkist Cali™ mandarin program remains a key growth driver, while varieties like Minneolas and Ojai Pixie tangerines bring bold flavor, unique nutritional benefits, and seasonal excitement. Together, these varieties help keep citrus top of mind for consumers seeking simple, wholesome snacks all winter and into spring.”

Let’s take a look at the numbers to bring this value home:

1. Sustained year-over-year growth: Volume up 4% vs. year ago, 13% vs. two years ago, and 22% vs. three years ago (Circana FY25, 11/10/2024–11/02/2025).
2. Everyday staple: Mandarins are primarily purchased as an everyday snack and are a regular fixture on shoppers’ grocery lists.
3. Pack-size preferences: Households with kids purchase more frequently and favor 5-pound packs, while 2- and 3-pound bags remain the most preferred formats overall.

This scaling demand has extended beyond the category’s traditional demographic reach.

“The Sunkist Cali™ Mandarins program continues to grow beyond families to Millennial and Gen Z shoppers, reinforcing mandarins’ role as a healthy, handheld snack across generations and life stages,” Cassie explains.

In addition to mandarins, Sunkist Minneolas, or tangelos, offer a distinctive sweet-tart flavor profile and are a good source of folate, an essential nutrient that supports overall health. As an alternate bearing crop, Minneola volume can fluctuate year to year; however, this season is showing strong momentum, with tangelos up 45 percent versus the same time period a year ago, highlighting continued consumer interest in flavorful, nutrient-forward snackable citrus options.

Building on an already robust lineup of snackable citrus, Sunkist is also entering the heart of the season for Ojai Pixie tangerines, a highly anticipated specialty variety known for its exceptional sweetness, small size, and easy-to-peel nature.

“Ojai Pixie tangerines’ limited, seasonal availability creates urgency at retail and encourages shoppers to purchase while supplies last. Pixies experienced double-digit volume growth versus the same period a year ago during the peak March–April selling window (Circana WE 03/09/25–05/04/25),” Cassie reveals. “In addition, snackable citrus is benefiting from broader snacking and wellness trends. Snacking occasions continue to grow, particularly among younger consumers, and fruits are among the categories best positioned to benefit as shoppers seek simple, better-for-you options, according to Euromonitor. Citrus aligns naturally with increasing preference for unprocessed and minimally processed foods that deliver real nutrition without additives.”

Through its snackable citrus portfolio, Sunkist continues to support retailers with a full spectrum of in-season easy-peel varieties, strong brand recognition, and merchandising solutions designed to drive engagement and incremental sales.

In a retail landscape defined by shifting snack habits and wellness priorities, snackable citrus is proving that long-term growth often comes from the simplest, most portable solutions.