Why Sumo Mandarins Are So Pricey—but I Can't Resist Them

Sumo Citrus—it’s a fruit you either know and love, or you're missing out. I’ve never met anyone who’s tried a Sumo and not been hooked. What’s not to love? These mandarins, a hybrid of several citrus varieties, are easy to peel, seedless, and, best of all, incredibly sweet—like the sweetest citrus you’ll ever taste. They’re also consistently amazing. While even the best fruits sometimes disappoint with off flavors, seeds, or dryness, I’ve never had a Sumo that wasn’t perfect.

Why Are Sumo Citrus So Expensive?

A lot of behind-the-scenes effort goes into getting these fruits onto grocery store shelves. For starters, they've been in the making for decades—this isn’t an exaggeration. These fruits are over 30 years in the making.

Sumo citrus originated in Japan, where one grower set out to create the perfect citrus fruit—seedless, sweet, fragrant, and easy to peel. The journey began in the 1970s, but it wasn’t until 1998 that the first seedlings were brought from Japan to the United States.

Even with all the effort that went into their development, the delicate nature of Sumo trees and their exacting growing conditions meant these mandarins weren’t commercially available until 2011. Today, only skilled farmers in a specific region of California grow them, with each tree taking about 4 years to produce fruit. And once they start bearing fruit, it’s only for a brief period—January through April.

And that’s just the beginning! Once the trees are mature, they are hand-pruned to ensure they receive optimal sunlight, which helps them develop their signature sweetness. Once ripe, the fruit must meet strict size and taste standards before it even qualifies as a true Sumo.

Sumo mandarins are also very delicate and prone to bruising, so they must be carefully hand-picked and packaged. Then, they’re shipped in refrigerated trailers to maintain their freshness. Knowing how much care goes into getting this fruit from seed to table, especially with the hard work of family farms in California, makes the price tag a little easier to understand.

Despite all this effort, Sumos are still out of reach for some budgets. But don't worry—I’ve got an insider tip on how to snag them at a more affordable price.

How To Get Sumo Mandarins on a Budget

Now that Sumo mandarins have been commercially available for a few years, farmers are able to grow enough to meet demand, which means more grocery stores are stocking them each year. That’s probably why you’ve started spotting them at places like Trader Joe’s, Target, Walmart, and even Sam’s Club.

Are they still pricey? Yes. But are Sumo mandarins worth it? For me, absolutely. During the long, dreary winter months, fresh domestic produce is hard to come by, especially on the East Coast. These mandarins are like a burst of sunshine on a cold, snowy day. And knowing my purchase supports family farms and experts who’ve dedicated years to perfecting this fruit makes it all the sweeter.