VALENCIA, CA - At Southern Innovations 2025, Sunkist Growers will be showcasing a fresh start to the California citrus season with a full lineup of seasonal standouts—grapefruit, Valencias, conventional and Meyer lemons, Cara Caras, California Mandarins, and more. Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing, shared the details.

“Southern Innovations is a great opportunity to reconnect with our partners in a focused, collaborative environment. One of our top goals is to share early insights around the upcoming California citrus crop—with a special focus on California Mandarins and Cara Caras, which continue to be a bright spots for category growth,” Cassie began telling me. “We’re also excited to hear what’s resonating in stores, so we can continue to support our retail partners with data-backed strategies and turnkey solutions that meet evolving shopper expectations.”

At the Sunkist® booth, visitors can explore the supplier’s grower-led citrus programs and learn how the Sunny Days platform connects Sunkist’s rich heritage with innovation, storytelling, and sustainability. Stop by booth #312 to see Sunkist’s merchandising tools, packaging, and the retail solutions that keep citrus top of mind and in carts.

“We want visitors to walk away inspired by what’s next for citrus. Whether it’s our premium-quality fruit, sustainable growing practices, or data-backed merchandising programs, we’re focused on helping buyers drive year-round success—starting with the first pick of the season,” Cassie explained.

Outside of Southern Innovations, October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Sunkist is proud to continue its partnership with National Breast Cancer Foundation through the Power with the Pink Orange™ campaign. From limited-edition Cara Cara packaging to collaborative retail activations, the supplier is inviting partners to create an impact that goes beyond the shelf.

As we continue to follow along with Sunkist and other fresh produce providers, keep clicking back to ANUK.

CHINA - VentureFruit has announced a major step in the global expansion of TUTTI™ apples, the world’s first apple specifically bred to tolerate hot climates, with the appointment of a new exclusive growing and sales partner in China.

Under the agreement, Joy Wing Mau, a leading fruit grower, marketer, and exporter in China, will plant 300 hectares of TUTTI™ apples, leveraging its capabilities to bring the TUTTI™ apple brand to consumers across China.

Morgan Rogers, VentureFruit General Manager, says the license is another milestone for the partnership and a significant step towards the goal of expanding the TUTTI™ apple programme to 1,200 hectares globally by 2030.

Joy Wing Mau’s scale, expertise in growing, and market reach make them an ideal partner to introduce TUTTI™ apples to China. As one of China’s largest produce companies, with world-class sales, marketing, and logistics expertise, Joy Wing Mau will be a valued addition to the global TUTTI™ apples network, and this collaboration will accelerate the brand’s momentum in Asia,” says Rogers.

Since its launch in February 2023, TUTTI™ apples have expanded rapidly, with over 900 hectares now licensed across Spain, Latin America, China, and the United Kingdom.

Joy Wing Mau was founded in 1998 with the mission of “Better Fruit, Better Life”. Today, the company’s supply chain spans over 300 cities in China, servicing over 40 wholesale markets, more than 10,000 retail outlets, and 25,000 fruit specialty stores, alongside 5 leading e-commerce platforms.

You Wenzhe, Joy Wing Mau Fruit Technology Corporation General Manager, says in the recent release, "As part of our refreshed strategy, Joy Wing Mau is investing in new apple genetics and production with a strong focus on supplying our customers in China. Selecting apples that will perform well in an increasingly volatile climate is key for Joy Wing Mau as we continue to encounter hot summers and associated production challenges.

“Since first seeing the test blocks in Spain, we have been impressed with the Hot Climate Partnership and are absolutely delighted to be partnering with VentureFruit and their global team to develop TUTTI™ apples in China,” says You.

This appointment strengthens the existing relationship between Joy Wing Mau and T&G/VentureFruit , with Joy Wing Mau serving as the sole licensed grower and marketer of T&G’s premium ENVY™ apples in China.

Morgan Rogers explains, “Globally, we are seeing constant reminders of the need for climate-resilient varieties, with the increased frequency of intense weather events continuing to impact production in both hemispheres. Innovative apple and pear varieties from the Hot Climate Partnership, such as TUTTI™, are enabling growers to meet these challenges while delivering an outstanding consumer experience and preference.

“TUTTI™ is a stand-out apple—validated through production trials and multiple years of consumer research. It has been specifically bred to thrive in hot conditions, producing a deliciously light, crisp apple, with bright red skin and a rounded, sweet flavour; with notes of honey, melon, and florals.

“TUTTI™ apples are expanding globally through a network of exceptional partners in a peer-to-peer collaboration. We are thrilled with the innovative apple’s remarkable progress in its first two years,” says Rogers.

Joy Wing Mau joins a growing global network of TUTTI™ apple licensees in the programme, including Copefrut S.A. (Latin America), T&G Global’s United Kingdom subsidiary, Worldwide Fruit (United Kingdom), and FruitFutur (Catalonia).

With limited licenses still available in other territories, interested parties can reach out to Kate James, Business Development Manager, [email protected], for more information.