Meet the Nardi Family, Australian Sumo Citrus Growers

September marks the halfway point of the unbearable months without fresh Sumo Citrus, also known as our offseason between May and December. Just when we think we cannot wait one more minute for the legendary taste of our favorite fruit, we are saved by the arrival of the Sumo Citrus Australian Fall Harvest.

This glorious moment is made possible by farmers like Victor, Anna, Frank, and Jason Nardi, directors of Vix Farming in the Riverina Region of Australia. As third generation citrus farmers who have been growing Sumo Citrus for 16 years, the Nardis were drawn to the same attributes that make Sumo Citrus so beloved among its community of Super Fans: its size, flavor, and how easy it is to peel.

Frank and Jason Nardi, Australian Sumo Citrus Growers

We sat down to chat with the Nardi family to get the juice on what it takes to grow Sumo Citrus.

What makes the climate in Australia as conducive to growing Sumo Citrus as the conditions in central California where it was originally grown?

The Riverina area where our farms are located is the perfect climate for Sumo Citrus. From early summer through the extreme conditions that we sometimes experience in late summer, the ready access to the Murrumbidgee water system means that we’re able to grow the best citrus in Australia!

How many citrus trees do you have on your farms?

We currently grow over 250,000 trees.

Wow! What drew you to Sumo Citrus?

The uniqueness of this fruit drew us to planting it. Its size and unique flavor, coupled with how easy it is to peel, is the big drawcard!

What have you learned along the way?

Sumo Citrus can be a challenging piece of fruit to grow for reasons at opposite ends of the spectrum. It does not like too much sun, so during the summer we need to apply regular doses of natural clay sunscreen to protect it from the sun. During the winter, leading up to harvest, the fruit does not like to be too wet, so good drainage is important. We have put a lot of R&D into growing Sumo Citrus over the years to learn how to cultivate and protect the fruit through the extreme Australian weather conditions.

Tell us about your harvest cycle. What does it take to grow an enormously delicious piece of Sumo Citrus?

We regularly size, count, and thin our fruit trees to produce the ideal size fruit at harvest. Timing for any crop is important but especially so with Sumo Citrus, so we are very mindful of when we thin and harvest. It is important to hand pick the fruit as soon as it is ready and not keep it on the tree for too long. 

What does your farming team love the most about growing Sumo Citrus?

Most farmers love the size and the easy ability to harvest each fruit compared to other mandarin varieties. We also love the fact that this Sumo Citrus is loved the world over, and we are so proud to be able to share our Australian fruit with fans in the United States.

_______________________________

Thank you to the Nardi family and their team of farmers for their dedication to growing Sumo Citrus and willingness to share a peek behind the scenes. Our Sumo Citrus growers’ expertise in nurturing such a finicky fruit is what makes Sumo Citrus so premium, and such a special everyday indulgence when it reaches our kitchens. 

The Australian Fall Harvest offers a limited amount of fruit in select stores across the United States, while supplies last. Learn more about this harvest here. For those who are lucky to find Sumo Citrus in the produce aisle, we recommend stocking up, spreading the word, and browsing our archive of delicious recipes.

Our preservation selection, in particular, offers inspiration that will make the fruits of the Australian fall harvest last until our season begins in January.