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       Letters to Growers
February 2, 2007 As we continue to work through this post-freeze environment, I want to update you with the most current information we’ve received about the effects of the freeze on our growers’ production areas. Each day, the situation becomes more defined. While initial reports, after the first several nights of freezing temperatures, painted a devastating picture, working closely with our packers and growers, we are daily learning of additional pockets of navels that appear to have escaped damage. While estimates of as much as 70% on tree loss are confirmed in many areas, that still leaves several million cartons of good quality oranges to market both domestically and in export. With the availability of a fair amount of good quality oranges through April, our Sunkist sales department plans to push ads in the traditional navel peak season. We continue to share this improving news with our customers. Let me assure you, the Sunkist sales team has been heavily promoting every carton of marketable fruit, of every variety, that is available. They’re in daily contact with our customers keeping them up- to-date on the changing situation. Amounts of Specialty fruits like Pummelos, Minneolas, Cara Caras and Moro Oranges also made it through the cold and will offer windows of good quality fruit for the market, which we will aggressively sell. Sunkist sales will need every available carton of good quality fruit to meet demand. We are fortunate that our sales and marketing program allows us the flexibility to adapt to the changing supply. I will continue to keep you apprised of developments in the post-freeze environment and market.
Sincerely,
Nick Bozick
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