New Port Manatee facility to boosts SiCar Farms' citrus distribution and sustainability

Citrus industry expert SiCar Farms is opening a new East Coast distribution center at Port Manatee, strategically located at the entrance of Tampa Bay in Southwest Florida. The 20,000-square-foot facility is set to begin operations in December 2025.

“This new facility is a key step in meeting the growing demand for premium fresh citrus on the East Coast,” said Luis Gudino, CEO of SiCar Farms. “By optimizing delivery routes and integrating automation, we’re not only improving efficiency but also reducing our environmental footprint.”

Equipped with eight full truckload dock doors, automated fruit selection, advanced bagging systems, and automatic racking technology, the new distribution center enhances throughput and reduces handling time while maintaining the highest product quality standards.

The location at Port Manatee enables the company to minimize transportation distances, reduce carbon emissions, and support its broader sustainability goals, aligning with the company’s long-standing commitment to responsible, resource-efficient operations.

SiCar Farms at IFPA 2025

The third-generation, family-owned produce company, recognized as a leader in the cultivation, packaging, and distribution of limes and other citrus products, will showcase its latest innovations at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show.

Held between October 16 and 18 in Anaheim, California, the event will host the company at the Mexico Pavilion (Booth #539), where attendees can learn more about SiCar Farms’ fresh citrus solutions and its vision for a more sustainable produce industry.