New international platform will have a combined sales volume of more than 1.4mn cartons
Two of Florida’s most established citrus companies, IMG Citrus and the Mixon family, have announced a strategic partnership to create a new platform to market premium Florida grapefruit globally.
The partnership combines the Mixon Family’s long-term investment in Citrus Under Protective Screen (Cups) production with IMG Citrus’ nearly 50 years of experience marketing grapefruit to leading retail and foodservice customers across North America, Europe and Asia.
Together, the families will represent one of the most significant fresh Florida grapefruit platforms in the industry, with more than 340ha of covered production and a combined programme expected to represent more than 1.4mn cartons. The partnership is expected to account for more than half of Florida’s fresh grapefruit market, creating scalable platform for the future of the category.
“This is bigger than two businesses coming together,” said Melanie Ressler, co-CEO of IMG Citrus. “This is two families aligning around a shared vision for the future of Florida grapefruit.”
Led by brothers Keith and Jerry Mixon, the Mixon family has spent more than a decade refining varieties, rootstocks, and production systems within the Cups model – an advanced form of protected agriculture where citrus is grown under large protective screen structures designed to improve growing consistency, fruit quality, and supply reliability. Their work represents one of the industry’s most significant long-term investments in Florida grapefruit production.
Prior to this venture, the Mixon family built the SunnyRidge Farm berry company, later acquired by Dole.
“What excites us is the opportunity to bring back to the market what Florida grapefruit has always been known for at its best – incredible flavour, juiciness, and eating experience,” said Keith Mixon. “But now with the scale, consistency, and operational platform needed to support today’s customers.”
The collaboration pairs protected agriculture with a fully integrated commercial platform designed to support greater consistency, dependable planning, and a longer, more relevant Florida grapefruit season at commercial scale.
IMG Citrus brings extensive capabilities across packing, packaging innovation, food safety, logistics, and customer support infrastructure – providing the operational foundation needed to scale a differentiated Florida grapefruit programme across retail and foodservice channels.
“We’ve been trialling the programme in select markets, and the results have validated the opportunity in a major way,” said Sydney Allison, VP of sales at IMG Citrus. “Customers are seeing a programme that delivers dependable quality, smoother supply, and a more consistent experience for shoppers in the produce aisle. Retailers are recognizing that this is a unique Florida grapefruit program capable of driving real excitement in the category.”
Ressler commented: “We believe there is a real opportunity to reconnect consumers with what makes Florida grapefruit special, while inviting new consumers to discover its unique flavour and story. This partnership is about combining innovation, experience, and shared values to create something meaningful for the market and for the long-term future of Florida citrus”.
