LA UNIÓ de Llauradors (Growers' Association) has criticised the expansion of the Nadorcott mandarin acreage, with a number of trees planted that has grown in recent years to 2.7 million within the European Union alone, compared to 2 million trees in 2009, and this without taking into account the licenses granted to countries like Morocco, Egypt and Turkey.
In the meantime, average prices at origin this campaign have been 25% lower than last year. Companies exploiting the variety are causing its devaluation by allowing the acreage to be expanded and granting more licenses. Recently, 400 hectares, about 200,000 licenses, have been granted in Spain and another 500 hectares, approximately 250,000 licenses, in Italy.
The problem is that growers who planted the Nadorcott are able to do little or nothing about it, since they rely on the clubs that manage the variety. LA UNIÓ believes that "growers should be given some explanations on why decisions are made that can affect their profitability without any prior consultations."
Breeders' rights are already adequately recognised by European and Spanish regulations, but LA UNIÓ has denounced that the rights of growers who buy varieties like Nadorcott are neither recognised nor properly legislated. "There is no guarantee when purchasing a license that there will be a limit and control on the plantings of the variety, which is a truly determining factor affecting the final sale price," points out LA UNIÓ.