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Sumo Citrus®, the fresh produce brand known for its oversized, easy-to-peel mandarins, has announced its first strategic foray into the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector through a collaboration with premium olive oil brand Brightland®.

Launching on February 11, the partnership introduces a limited-edition Sumo Citrus Flavoured Olive Oil. This move represents a significant brand extension for Sumo Citrus, aiming to leverage its short seasonal window to create a shelf-stable product that maintains brand relevance beyond the winter harvest.

Product Innovation: Capturing 'Mandarin Complexity'

The collaboration creates a new "finishing oil" category entry by infusing Brightland’s signature 100% California extra virgin olive oil with the specific flavour profile of peak-season Sumo Citrus.

Unlike generic citrus oils, this product is engineered to capture the "legendary, complex sweetness" and "mandarin complexity" of the specific varietal, ensuring a finish with zero bitterness. The result is a "liquid gold" product designed for versatile culinary applications, ranging from salad dressings and roasted vegetables to baking and even ice cream toppings.

Strategic Rationale: Extending the Season

For Sumo Citrus, this partnership is a tactical play to extend consumer engagement. While the fresh fruit has a finite seasonal availability (typically January through April), a shelf-stable olive oil allows the brand to remain in consumers' kitchens year-round.

Sunnia Gull, Vice President of Marketing for Sumo Citrus, commented: "We're bottling our love of California-grown, distinct flavour and premium quality into one bold olive oil. Now, followers of the brand can celebrate the joy of Sumo Citrus flavour during our peak season and beyond in a new, creative way."

Shared Values: California Origin

The partnership capitalises on the "California grown" provenance of both brands. Aishwarya Iyer, CEO and Founder of Brightland, highlighted this geographical synergy as a core driver for the collaboration.

"California is at the heart of everything we do at Brightland, so partnering with Sumo Citrus — the absolute gold standard of California citrus — felt like the ultimate expression of our commitment to flavour, craft, and quality," Iyer stated. "This collaboration represents the perfect marriage of our high-quality extra-virgin olive oil and the legendary sweetness of the Sumo Citrus."

Commercial Availability and Pricing

The product is launching exclusively via Brightland’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce platform.

Key Retail Data:

• Launch Date: February 11, 2026.

• Format: 375 mL / 12.7 fl. oz. UV-coated glass bottle (fully recyclable).

• Pricing: Retailing for $48 (with a stated MSRP of $60).

The premium price point positions the SKU as a luxury pantry item, aligning with Brightland’s existing "elevated" market positioning while tapping into the fervent fanbase of the Sumo Citrus brand.