Each spring as North America plans for the upcoming Australian citrus season, halfway around the world, Sam Albanese and his brother Gino work toward another successful harvest. They produce a range of orange varieties, including Washington, Navelina, Lane Late, and Summer Navels, along with Valencia oranges, Imperial mandarins, Ellendale and Honey Murcott tangerines -- not to mention lemons and grapefruit -- all on 60 acres in Pike River, South Australia.

The Albanese brothers' property entails 190 planted acres - the remaining 130 producing such wine grapes as Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling, to name a few. Sam is an amateur wine maker, and no doubt he will soon raise a glass to this year's crop, as the operation successfully overcame considerable challenges this season.

"In our region we have experienced drought conditions," Sam said. "This has placed unwanted stress on such a valuable resource. New and improved irrigation systems must be looked into and implemented to preserve our water in such times. Each day we download irrigation data and make decisions based on the data, so that the water is used strategically."

In addition to managing the water situation, Albanese Bros. Pty Ltd., like other horticulturalists, is constantly adapting to the requirements of global customers - adopting new technologies, varieties, and market opportunities in an effort to remain profitable and efficient.

"The Australian citrus industry sends its best fruit to the North American market," Sam said. "This involves a coordinated effort across all major growing regions. North America is the most profitable market for growers who are able to produce to the standards required."

While several Australian Navel brands are marketed in Canada, all Australian Navel oranges sold in the U.S. are marketed under the Riversun label. The Oppenheimer Group operates in this market as a "sub agent" to DNE, which is the master agent for Riversun. The varieties we carry are Summer Navels, Ellendales and Honey Murcotts, also known as Honey tangerines. Oppenheimer operations and QC also handle all inspections as the fruit arrives in the Port of San Diego. The marketing season spans from July through early October, and we anticipate a volume of about 320,000 35-pound cartons in 2003.

"An amazing amount of effort goes into producing a carton of Navel oranges bound for the U.S… Twelve months of nurturing and TLC go into our products," Sam continued. "As soon as one harvest is complete, we are working toward our next crop. Pruning, taking care of nutritional requirements and soil issues, planning crop load and hand thinning are addressed regularly throughout the season."

Sam and younger brother Gino grew up on the property, taking over the day-to-day operation, "when my parents decided to slow down and enjoy their surroundings rather than hard work," Sam said.
"I love the lifestyle, outdoors, fresh air, and watching things grow that we have developed. It's really exciting knowing that people from around the world are enjoying the products of my labor."

Sam and his wife Rosa have two children: Isabella who is 11 and Dominic, 10. Isabella's netball games and Dominic's soccer keep their parents busy when they are not hard at work on the property. Sam also follows Australian Rules football and enjoys fishing.