The Protected Geographical Identification (PGI) Cítricos Valencianos has celebrated the Start of the Valencian Orange Harvest, which marks the kick-off of the citrus campaign. The event serves as a stage to promote the qualities of the region's oranges and mandarins right when they are starting to reach the markets.
The event has been attended in one way or another by all entities linked to the sector, from agricultural organizations to commercial firms, the processing industry, supermarkets and consumers. The Government of the Region of Valencia was represented by president Ximo Puig, who was in charge of carrying out the first cut together with José Barres, president of the PGI.
The president of the PGI Cítricos Valencianos, José Barres Gabarda, said that “this event has allowed us to promote the high quality of the citrus fruits from the Region of Valencia and bring the entire sector together for the presentation of the campaign, including agricultural unions, private businesses and cooperatives, companies in the juice industry, supermarket associations and even consumer associations across the Region.”
The president of the Citrus Management Committee, Inmaculada Sanfeliu, also stressed that "we are highly satisfied with our participation in this event, which has ratified the great social and economic value that citrus fruits have for the Region of Valencia."
For his part, the vice president of AVA ASAJA, Celestino Recatalá, said that "this event has allowed us to showcase the leading position of Valencian citrus fruits in Spain."
The director of the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of the Region of Valencia, Enrique Bellés, has said that “it is important to convey the importance of consuming Valencian citrus fruits, not only because of their great qualities, but also because of the economic impact that their cultivation and marketing has in our Region.”
The general secretary of La Unió de Llauradors, Carles Peris, said that "without a doubt, we have taken part in an event that is allowing us to highlight our great potential as citrus producers and the reputation of Valencian citrus fruits."
Also, the director of External Relations of CONSUM, Francisco Javier Quiles, stressed that "thanks to events like this one, the consumer has the chance to become more familiar with the Valencian citrus schedule and know the moment when the campaign begins. We currently have clementines certified with the PGI Cítricos Valencianos in our shelves and for the next fifteen days we will have oranges."
Lastly, Fernando Móner president of AVACU, said that "it is a great achievement that, despite the current pandemic, we have been able to join forces with so many different links in the food chain in order to support our flagship product."
For more information: www.citricosvalencianos.com
