Despite the global recession, US citrus marketer Sunkist's global licensing business continued to grow in 2009, with 73 new Sunkist-branded products introduced.
The company also added a record nine new licensees, including two outside the food and beverage category, is looking at new overseas markets, and over the past two years has added close to 5,000 acres (2,023ha) to its membership base.
'The 2009/10 season is looking brighter than the season just past. Already, overall volumes, FOBs and revenues are higher,' said Sunkist president and CEO Russ Hanlin.
'New and expanding markets in India, Russia and the Middle East are being explored. New varieties of citrus, along with adding to our portfolio, increase the value of our offerings to key customers around the world,' he added, before sounding a note of caution.
'Economic improvement, however - particularly in foodservice - has been very slow and spotty. Until global markets recover and unemployment numbers come down dramatically, our industry will continue to face substantial challenges,' he predicted.
Sunkist's board chairman Nick Bozick told growers and guests at the company's 116th annual meeting in Visalia, California, that hard work, strategic planning, and discipline meant Sunkist growers had some of the highest returns per acre generated in the past year, and these thoughts were echoed by Mr Hanlin.
'The challenges that citrus growers face are very similar to those that prompted the creation of Sunkist in 1893,' Mr Hanlin said.
'By consolidating marketing strength, we are able to secure the best returns possible. That was true in 1893 and it is true in 2010.
'Returns per acre were good but varied, as always, by fruit quality and size, as well as on the percentage of domestic and export shipments.'
At the same annual meeting Mr Bozick was unanimously re-elected to a fifth term as Sunkist board chairman, while Craig Armstrong, Gerald Denni and James Finch were re-elected vice-chairmen.
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