2. CONTENS:
• LOCATION OF THE VALENCIA REGION.
• THE VALENCIA REGION. A TRADITION OF CITRUS GROWING.
• THE SECRETS BEHIND GREAT PRODUCTION.
• FROM SEPTEMBER TO JUNE, A WHOLE VARIETY OF CITRUS FRUIT.
• NEW TECHNOLOGIES AT THE SERVICE OF AGRICULTURE.
• NUMBER ONE EXPORTER OF CITRUS WORLDWIDE.
• 5 VALENCIAN PORTS AT THE SERVICE OF EXPORTS.
• VALENCIAN CITRUS FRUIT, MAXIMUM QUALITY AND FRESHNESS.
3. LOCATION OF THE VALENCIA REGION
The Valencia Region is comprised of the
provinces of Alicante, Castellon and
Valencia and enjoys a privileged
geographical location in the centre of the
Mediterranean basin. Our 500 km of
coastline are bathed in the gentle waters
of the Mediterranean.
This land has been used to develop and
perfect the cultivation of the very best
citrus fruit for over three centuries.
4. THE VALENCIA REGION. A TRADITION OF
CITRUS GROWING.
Despite the fact that the region’s
traditionally agricultural activity now lives
side by side with the service and industry
sectors.
This region’s deep-rooted tradition is a
differentiating element compared to the rest
of the world’s citrus-producing areas
Valencian crops, the most traditional
methods and the division of land into small
holdings are combined with a modern
approach achieved through the application of
new technologies, provided by research
funded by the Valencia Regional Government.
5. THE SECRETS BEHIND GREAT PRODUCTION.
Citrus fruit trees, which grow in warm climates and originated in Asia,
have adapted perfectly to the climate of the Mediterranean coastline,
home to the Valencia Region. The Region’s microclimate ideal for the
production of high quality citrus fruit.
The secret of the quality of Valencian citrus fruit lies in the perfect
climate conditions-warm through out the night and hot during the day,
allowing the fruit to attain the ideal acidity value and just sugar level,
lending them an unmistakable flavour and quality.
6. General citrus fruit production and
Production by varieties.
Citrus fruit production in Mediterranean
countries stands at 17.364 thousands of
tons, of which Spain represents 38%.
Further more, the Valencia Region
represents 60% of the total citrus fruit
production in Spain.
As we can see from the information on
the attached graph, Spain is one of the
main citrus fruit producers in the
Mediterranean basin with 6.541
thousands of tons and the Valencia
Region is the main producer within
Spain, with a production of 3.953
thousands of tons.
• Clementines: -Spain produces 47% of
all clementines produced in the
Mediterranean basin. -The Valencia
Region produces 80% of all
clementines produced in Spain.
• Oranges: -Of all the oranges produced
in the Mediterranean basin, Spain
produces 36%. -Of all the oranges
produced in Spain, the Valencia region
produces 57%.
• Lemons: -Spain produces 33% of all
lemons produced in the
Mediterranean basin. -The Valencia
Region produces 25% of all lemons
produced in Spain.
8. Clementines are harvested between the months of September and February. Their small
size, aromatic flavour and easy-to-peel skin means that they are one of the most highly
valued and easily marketed fruit products in the world. The juice percentage from one
piece is 50%, with an average of between 7.4-10.8 degrees Brix. They are graded on a
descending scale between 1 and 10, 1 being the largest size and 10 being the smallest.
Oranges are harvested between October and June. There are numerous varieties of
oranges with their own characteristic flavour, juiciness, size and growing conditions.
There are two general groups of oranges in terms of flavour. Sweet oranges from Valencia
are eating orangespar excellence. Bitter oranges, which have a sharp taste, are used to
make marmalade and jams and for obtaining essential oils. Oranges are graded on a
descending scale of diameters between 0 and 14. Number 14 corresponds to fruit with the
smallest diameter whilst 0 is the largest. The average degree Brix ranges from 7.3 to
10.6.
Lemons are harvested between October and June. They are essentially used as a garnish
for other fruit and in dishes and culinary preparations.
Lemons are graded on a scale of 0 to 9, 0 corresponding to the largest diameter and 9 to
the smallest.
9. NEW TECHNOLOGIES AT THE SERVICE OF
AGRICULTURE.
The Agricultural Research undertaken by the
Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food is mainly carried out in the Valencian
Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA) and
forms part of the four fundamental
programmes that constitute Agricultural R&D:
research, experimentation, technology transfer
and training for farmers.
Our production process is subject to a
traceability protocol, consisting of careful
monitoring of the treatment that each product
receives in all stages of the process, from the
growing stage to the end consumer, and this is
recorded through the EAN 128 System.
10. NUMBER ONE EXPORTER OF CITRUS
WORDLWIDE.
The Valencia Region is best known for its citrus fruit, having focused
on export from the very outset. A constant production and export
process has been constantly geared towards foreign markets since
1800. In fact, this focus is still upheld today and the Valencia Region is
the number one exporter of citrus fruit worldwide.
As can be seenin the graph, Spain is responsible for 56% of the total
amount of citrus fruit exported from the Mediterranean basin. The
Valencia Region was responsible for74% of the overall national
exported production.
The Valencia Region is backed by extensive experience in
international markets and is a reference point in Europe as the first
are a of Citrus fruits production to export fresh fruit world wide.
11. 5 VALENCIAN PORTS AT THE SERVICE OF EXPORTS.
The 5 ports in the Valencia Region are an excellent channel for
international sea trade. They are leaders in Mediterranean trade
traffic, principally in container shipments thanks to a dynamic area of
influence and an extensive network of connections with the main
ports around the world. Of the five ports mentioned, the port of
Valencia is particularly noteworthy in terms of its volume of
transactions.
They have an enviable strategic location on the shores of the
Mediterranean Sea, with more than 500 kilometres of Spain’s western
coastline. In recent years, this area has experienced one of the largest
increases in comercial transactions in the European Union.
12. VALENCIAN CITRUS FRUIT, MAXIMUM QUALITY AND
FRESHNESS.
The international prestige enjoyed by Valencian citrus fruit is based on the
demanding quality controls carried out at each stage of the production process,
bothin the fields, in the preparation and packaging, throughout the cold logistics
chain and at the points of sale.
Valencian citrus fruit are considered to be the best in the world thanks to their
production and handling protocols. They comply with all international quality and
health safety standards, a guarantee for consumers throughout Europe and the
rest of the world.
The Mediterranean dietis the symbol of a life style, linked to a privileged
geographic situation and weather as well as the customs and ways of life of the
Mediterranean towns. Its products are recognised all over the world for their
variety and excellent qualities that turn them into the base of an internationally
well-known, rich, healthy and definitely unique gastronomy. The Valencian citrus
fruits excel due to their unmistakable flavour. This comes from their long tradition
of cultivation, making the mone of the main pillars of the Mediterranean diet.
