The Debate Goes On Over the Arrangement Used to Market Citrus in the Golden State

Editor’s Note: The California & Co. column, “Citrus Cartel Would Make OPEC Jealous” (Jan. 8), generated considerable reader response, particularly from smaller growers. Nearly all were critical of the current marketing system. A representative sampling follows.

As a grower and shipper of California navel oranges not affiliated with Sunkist, it is refreshing to see the truth told about prorate and the way Sunkist uses prorate to protect their market share.

Johnston Farms packs and ships about 1,300 acres of navel oranges, which amounts to about 700,000 cartons per year. In the pre-freeze 1990 season alone, we could have shipped an additional 200,000 cartons of fruit at profitable levels if prorate had not been instituted. That is about a $1.8-million to $2-million loss of revenue.

Quality and price should determine market share. A committee dominated by one organization, Sunkist, should not be allowed to control an entire industry for their own selfish interests.

DENNIS JOHNSTON

Edison