IMG Citrus Makes Big Deal To Grow Its Crop Portfolio
April 7, 2021 
IMG Citrus is expanding its reach into Southwest Florida with the purchase of what it’s calling the Imagine Grove. Photo courtesy of IMG Citrus
Vero Beach, FL-based IMG Citrus has announced the acquisition of a large citrus grove in the Southwest part of the state. The 2,500-acre grove in Charlotte County increases its control of citrus land management in Florida by 27%, bringing IMG’s total acreage in Florida to 11,387.
The grove was originally planted in the 1990s and known as the Chiquita Grove. The IMG Citrus family has renamed it the Imagine Grove, referencing an existing IMG Citrus brand and their excitement for the opportunities to come in Florida citrus.
The 2,500-acre property IMG Citrus acquired is a mixed-use farm property with citrus, vegetable, and sod land. The varieties of citrus on the property include red grapefruit (‘Ruby Red’, ‘Star’, ‘Flame’, and ‘Ray’), navel oranges, and Cara Cara oranges.
IMG Citrus will be planting an additional 60-acres of grapefruit on the property in fall 2021 with plans to continue new grove plantings in the future. Over the next three years, IMG Citrus intends to invest more than $1.5 million in capital expenditure through the addition of equipment and the enhancement of the infrastructure of the property. IMG Citrus also is considering growing watermelons on the property with the available infrastructure.
“There are also a total of 752-acres of wetlands on the property with endless amounts of nature and beautiful wildlife,” says Melanie Ressler, IMG Citrus Co-CEO, “This property showcases what really drives our purpose as a farmer. By sustainably managing producing acres and conserving wetlands, we can grow delicious citrus while also diligently conserving our natural resources.”
The Imagine Grove increases IMG Citrus’ geographical diversification and footprint in southwest Florida. Prior to the Imagine Grove acquisition, the Avant Grove, a total of 1,086-acres and located in DeSoto County’s Arcadia, was IMG Citrus’ only Southwest Florida grove.
“This property has historically produced very high-quality red grapefruit for which Florida is well known, adds Ressler. “It is exciting to further deepen our offering to our customers and consolidate our position as the leading Florida fresh grapefruit grower.”
The property was acquired from the Packers of Indian River, the same company IMG Citrus previously purchased the Happy Food Grove (3,928-acres) from in 2019 and the Sweet 60 Groves (562-acres) in 2017. The procurement of the Imagine Grove continues the long history and partnership between IMG Citrus and the Packers of Indian River. IMG Citrus will also be onboarding the team of employees, some with 30 years of tenure on the property.
As a diversified company, integrating a landscape business through the sod land on the Imagine Grove property provides an appealing development opportunity for IMG Citrus. 60-acres of sod land are currently in production; however, the company intends to redevelop the sod operation to its full capacity of 219-acres of infrastructure. The sod will most likely be marketed under the Cherrylake brand. Cherrylake, Inc. is IMG Citrus’ sister company and one of the largest wholesale producers of ornamental trees, palms, and shrubs in the Southeast.
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