Seeing an increased demand for these easy-to-peel mandarins, the Plant Production and Marketing Board of Israel plans significant expansion of its Orri Jaffa mandarin orange exports to the US and Canada this year.
The Jaffa Orri was developed by scientists at the Israeli Volcani Center Agricultural Research Organization. Not only does the peel come off easily, but the Jaffa Orri boasts a sweet juicy flavor and fleshy texture and has virtually no seeds.
Plus, this mandarin was bred to have a particularly long shelf life and appears later in the season compared to other easy peelers – from January into May.
Over the past five seasons, citrus exports from Israel to North America have increased from 3,000 tons to 9,000 tons last season, of which about 5,300 tons are easy-to-peel mandarins. This season, export of Orri Jaffa mandarin alone is expected to reach 9,000 tons, constituting a potential 70% growth.
Israel21c.org reports that Orri Jaffa mandarin currently is exported to 45 countries. Most of the yield is exported to Europe (78%) – most prominently France (39%), the Netherlands, Scandinavia and Russia (7% each). About 18% of the fruit is shipped to North America, and 4% to Asia Pacific.
