The Finca Motor de Cano, in the Spanish municipality of Xeresa, was the setting for a successful Open Day dedicated to the presentation of the Earlyna (US variety Early Pride). The event, organized by Euro Varieties Agronomic Management S.L. (EVAM) and the Compañía de Variedades Vegetales Protegidas (CVVP), brought together more than a hundred growers, technicians, and representatives of citrus companies interested in learning first-hand about the qualities of this variety.
© Alejandro Reula Fotografia
Vicente Estevan, Cipriano, and Fernando Castelló, from EVAM, were in charge of outlining the main agronomic, commercial, and organoleptic characteristics of the Earlyna, highlighting its productive and commercial potential in European markets.
© Alejandro Reula Fotografia
During the presentation, those in attendance had a chance to visit the field and check the characteristics of the Earlyna (US Early Pride), an early mandarin with no or very few seeds, an intense reddish orange color, and excellent post-harvest performance.
"The Earlyna aims to fill a market gap. It's a mandarin with no or very few seeds and an attractive color in the peak of the early season, when consumers demand it most," says Vicente Estevan, highlighting that the harvest kicks off around October 20 and lasts until the end of December, with excellent shelf-life all the way through.
© Alejandro Reula Fotografia
"This mandarin also stands out for its flattened shape, thin peel that's easy to remove, and a perfect balance between sweetness and acidity. Its reddish orange color, more intense than in other varieties, is particularly noticeable when the fruit's fresh and is enhanced by its marketing with leaf and stem, which results in a more natural, fresh, and visually attractive presentation," says Estevan.
© Alejandro Reula Fotografia
The variety also stands out for its resistance to diseases such as Alternaria and for its capacity to be left on the tree for up to 45 days after reaching optimum ripeness without any quality loss, which helps significantly extend its marketing period.
The development of Earlyna (US Early Pride) is the result of years of research, trials, and international legal processes. The Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) officially registered it on January 17, 2022, and five months later, it was approved by Spain's National Evaluation Commission, allowing it to be marketed.
© Alejandro Reula Fotografia
"We are just starting with a project that offers great potential, and the interest shown by growers is encouraging us to continue working towards a more modern, profitable, and environmentally-friendly citriculture," says Vicente Estevan.
For more information: www.earlyna.com and www.clubvvp.es
