The first Nadorcott mandarins from Morocco are available from this week at Bio Tropic Perpignan in France. The season will run until early April. "This year, we are cooperating with two French growers, Soumia and Emile Grac, of Le Verger Bio. These growers have 30 hectares of mandarin trees between Essaouira and Marrakesh. This year, organic Nadorcott mandarins can be exported for the first time", says Willem Bakker, from Perpignan.
Soumia and Emile became acquainted with Bio Tropic at the 2014 Biofach. Since then, there has been intensive communication between Bio Tropic and these two growers. They began by growing herbs in France, their land of origin. Now, besides mandarins, they also cultivate oranges and figs. They follow the philosophy of sustainable cultivation and have chosen to grow organic produce. The mandarins are now certified to be organic with the other products following short on their heels.
A section of the mandarin trees are under nets to protect the citrus fruit against hail and wind damage. "The Marrakesh region has the perfect climate - warm summers and cool nights in the autumn and winter. This ensures that these mandarins develop a nice orange colour. And that these seedless easy peelers achieve the perfect aromatic balance between sweet and slightly sour", explains Willem. He, and his colleague, Odile Bouron, will travel to Morocco in early March to see the cultivation with their own eyes.
For more information
Willem Bakker
Bio Tropic Perpignan
Tel: +33 (0) 468 870 443
wbr@biotropic.com
www.biotropic.com