California-based citrus packing company Suntreat will this season offer its first promotable volumes of Suki brand mandarins, with the first shipments expected to arrive at retailers next week. 

Picking began on March 6 and the fruit is expected to be available through May.

“At Suntreat, we put in the extra time and care into making sure that Suki Mandarins are the best tasting and highest quality Golden Nuggets on the market,” said marketing director Brett Burdsal.

“Because we handle Sukis with the gentle care that you would provide for something as delicate as stonefruit, the flavor and shelf-life of the product surpasses anything else you see on the market.”

The Suki harvest process begins with each mandarin being placed in small field totes meant to better protect the fruit than with typical large harvest bins, Suntreat said.

Once in the packing house the fruit is then cured and held for a few days to help the rind toughen and prevent break down. Lastly, the mandarins are processed on the Sumo Citrus line and hand-packed.

“Last year, when we started handling the Sukis differently, we immediately noticed we were yielding a better product with greater taste and a longer shelf-life," said vice president of sales and business development Daniel Kass.

"How we pick, how we pack—it all leads to a stronger flavor and superior shelf-life, making Suki Mandarins stand out among the crowd."

Suntreat is also launching new packaging this year to reflect the similarities the citrus has with its sister product, the Sumo Citrus. 

“We’re really excited about it to be able to show off the new look for Suki. We think the name is going to ring true, the box is going to pop, and the taste is going to be second only to our Sumo Citrus,” Brett continued.

“With the California mandarin season coming to an end, Sukis are the grand finale and last big burst of flavor in the produce department until Summer flavors roll in. Next to Sumos, Sukis are by far the most requested and memorable fruit we grow and a way to finish with a big bang.” 

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