Valencian Citrus fruit Mediterranean freshness on your table!!!!

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.

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.

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 areasValencian 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.

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.

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.

FROM SEPTEMBER TO JUNE, A WHOLE VARIETY OF CITRUS FRUIT.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Have a good day!!!!