Melissa’s Ojai Pixie tangerines squeeze into spring with 25 percent sales jump
Melissa’s Produce is ready to begin shipping its 2026 season Ojai Pixie tangerines, giving retailers a late-citrus option that delivered a 25 percent sales growth in 2025, the company says in a release.
The California-grown program runs March through May, a window Melissa’s says helps retailers sustain citrus momentum as earlier-season mandarins wind down. The broader citrus category posted a 17 percent year-on-year growth in the first quarter, the firm adds.
Pixie tangerines are grown in California’s Ojai Valley, where the east-west orientation allows for extended daily sun exposure, which supports sugar development and balanced flavor, according to the release. The fruit is naturally seedless, low in acid, unwaxed, and easy to peel.
“Ojai Pixies aren’t just another tangerine,” says Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations at Melissa’s. “They’re seasonal, they’re grown in California by a small co-op of family farms, and the flavor is second to none. Retailers who highlight that story through our program assets tend to capture the strongest performance during the spring window.”
Ojai Pixie outlook and quality notes
Melissa’s forecasts a lighter 2026 Ojai Pixie crop due to the variety’s natural alternate bearing cycle, with strength in larger sizes early in the season.
Warmer winter conditions may result in more external green coloration on early shipments, the company notes, adding that peel color is cosmetic and does not indicate internal maturity. Melissa’s says eating quality remains strong and that it is working with grower partners to manage grading and supply.
The company recommends bulk displays supported by high-graphic grower bins and 1-pound grab-and-go totes to support e-commerce and convenience shoppers.
*All photos courtesy of Melissa's Produce.
Related stories
Why Lunar New Year is a two-week sales surge for US produce retailers
Subscribe to our newsletter
