Beat the Summer Heat Healthily with Frozen Mandarin Oranges! Japan's Premier Citrus Brand 'Arida Mandarin' Now Available Frozen.

Uetomo Farm Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture; Representative Director: Yoshito Uenoyama), which cultivates 15 varieties of citrus, including Satsuma mandarins, in Arida, Wakayama, a leading mandarin orange producing region in Japan, has released "Frozen Mandarin Oranges" as a new processed product.

Through the expanded sales of this product, we aim to improve the income of agricultural businesses by upcycling mandarins for processing and to propose solutions for the growing demand for frozen foods due to recent summer heatwaves.

〇 Background to the Release

Wakayama Prefecture is one of Japan's foremost mandarin orange producing regions, ranking first in Japan for Satsuma mandarin production in Reiwa 6 (2024). It is a representative mandarin-producing region in Japan in both name and reality.

However, the number of farmers is on the decline due to an aging farming population, a shortage of successors, and increased risks in the business environment leading to farmers leaving the industry. This trend is observed nationwide as well.

To protect the production region and pass on the culture and industry of Arida mandarins to the next generation, our company strives to protect our orchards by expanding our scale year by year and contributing in our small way to maintaining supply.

However, one of the business challenges that arises as we expand our scale is improving the unit price of mandarins for processing.

Therefore, we are planning and developing processed products to upcycle these mandarins.

〇 Why Frozen Mandarin Oranges?

In recent years, extreme summer heat has become the norm, leading to increased demand for frozen foods and cold sweets that offer a quick way to feel refreshed.

While the global frozen food market continues to expand, consumer health consciousness is also growing, leading to higher expectations for products that combine "heatstroke countermeasures" with "deliciousness" and "health." Based on this market background, we began product development for frozen mandarin oranges.

Frozen mandarin oranges have high affinity as a healthy frozen fruit that can be easily enjoyed without relying on additives, while utilizing the natural sweetness and nutrients of the fruit. Furthermore, they can be proposed for a variety of eating occasions, such as snacks or desserts during hot weather, or for refreshment after a bath or sports, and we believe they are a product with potential for further demand expansion in the future.

〇 Product Features

Peel and segments removed for easy, mess-free eating This product involves carefully peeling each mandarin and then freezing them after segmenting them for easier consumption. Since there is no need to peel them, you can enjoy them without getting your hands dirty from melting water droplets or overflowing juice. Furthermore, because they are segmented, you can take out and eat just the amount you want from the bag. They can be efficiently consumed during busy mornings or as a snack for children.

A healthy snack option made from natural ingredients With the rise in summer temperatures in recent years, demand for juices and ice cream has been increasing year by year. While delicious items are available for purchase anytime and anywhere, you may have worried about the health implications of consuming them every day. This product is the mandarin itself, allowing you to savor the taste of natural ingredients. Developed to meet the needs of customers who want to "replace some items with natural ingredients a few times a week" or "give their children the most natural foods possible."

"Instant" freezing of Arida mandarin's deliciousness We use fully ripened Arida mandarins. We capture the deliciousness of mandarins harvested at their peak "shun" (season) and finish them into a product that can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of the season.

〇 How to Enjoy Frozen Mandarin Oranges

First, enjoy the balance of penetrating sweetness and refreshing acidity as they are. You will likely perceive more sweetness if you thaw them until they reach a semi-sorbet consistency. They are perfect for snacking on a bite or two after returning from work or school, or after a bath.

They are also recommended as a topping for yogurt, jelly, or shaved ice, or as a substitute for ice in alcoholic beverages or juices. Adding them to smoothies can also provide a cooling sensation.

〇 About Uetomo Farm

With the concept of "mandarins you can't help but want one more of," we handle everything from production to sales of 15 varieties of citrus in the Arida region of Wakayama Prefecture. We are expanding our production scale year by year (※1) and striving daily to deliver the desired products in the required quantities to retailers' shelves, while extending the supply period as much as possible.

Additionally, we upcycle processing-grade mandarins that cannot be included in the existing distribution during our shipping process and sell the 100% mandarin juice "Premium Taste uetomo." This "Premium Taste uetomo" has been certified as a designated mandarin juice originating from Arida City (※2). Furthermore, in 2026, we were the sole recipient in the mandarin juice category of the "Wakayama Ichibanboshi Award," hosted by the Wakayama Prefectural Government, receiving both the inaugural certification and the Special Jury Award (※3).

(※1) As of June 1, 2026, we manage approximately 15 hectares of orchards in the Arida region of Wakayama Prefecture.

(※2) Designated Mandarin Juice (Arida City)

https://www.city.arida.lg.jp/sangyoshigoto/gensanchi/1002053/1001176

(※3) Wakayama Ichibanboshi Award (Wakayama Prefectural Government)

https://ichibanboshi.pref.wakayama.lg.jp/

・Company HP

https://uetomo-farm.com/

・Official EC

https://uetomo.official.ec/

・Official Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/uetomofarm/

〇 About Uetomo Farm Co., Ltd.

・Representative Director: Yoshito Uenoyama

・Head Office Location: 409-2 Senda, Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture

・Date of Establishment: July 1, 2016

・Business Activities: We handle everything from production to sales of 15 varieties of citrus, primarily Arida mandarins. We are also engaged in the planning and development of citrus-related processed products, such as 100% mandarin juice and frozen mandarin oranges.