According to David Alba, director of Citrus Genesis, a specialist in integrated development and management of new protected plant varieties, when it comes to citrus fruits, mandarins and clementines are the most common in terms of protected varieties, given current consumer trends, which favour easy-peelers, intense flavour profiles and lack of seeds.
"Late mandarins and early clementines are the ones sparking the most interest, together with seedless lemons, which are becoming an important new trend," he affirms.
Along with a wide range of varieties in development, Citrus Genesis has the rights to more than 40 citrus varieties to be launched in the short and medium term; examples include their latest varieties of clementines, mandarins, satsumas and oranges.
Cultifort clementine to start the campaign
The Cultifort clementine is an early mutation of the Oronules whose harvest begins in mid-September. "It is very sweet and juicy, easy to peel and seedless. It has a deep red colour that makes it very attractive to the consumer. Is a great variety to start the campaign after the summer," explains David Alba.
Octubrina, a great success for Citrus Genesis
Next in the harvest calendar, Citrus Genesis presented a variety called Octubrina, a high quality early mutation of the Clemenules that makes it possible to advance its harvest to early October with an exceptional productivity.
"It's one of our greatest successes. We launched it last year exclusively at Tesco supermarkets in the UK and received an excellent response from consumers. This positive feedback has been repeated again this year. We have exciting expansion plans for this variety; we will start planting in South Africa, Peru, Chile, the United States and possibly in Australia, along with Spain, of course."
Bela, the latest Satsuma
The Bela Satsuma is a late mutation of the Owari with a season lasting from mid-December to February. "The UK is our biggest market for Satsumas, but consumption is also on the rise in Scandinavian countries and Germany, and, of course, Russia, although this market is now banned. After the Owari campaign, there is a very important niche for the Satsuma, as the Christmas season starts, the coldest part of winter arrives and consumers purchase more citrus. The UK market is then left without one of the flagship products and this creates a great opportunity to supply Bela satsumas to a completely undersupplied market. Furthermore, by growing it in both hemispheres we could cover the demand for satsumas all year round for the first time."
Cambria, an excellent quality late Navel orange
In the orange segment, one of the most noteworthy varieties is the Cambria, a late Navel that can be harvested from March and has an exquisite organoleptic quality and firmness. Its excellent endurance in the tree, together with its long shelf life in chambers, make it possible to extend the high quality Navel orange campaign.
More information:
Mateu Chilet (Citrus Genesis International Ltd.)
T: +34 968 278 200+34 968 278 200
mchilet@citrusgenesis.com
www.citrusgenesis.com