New Octubrina clementine hits U.K. supermarket shelves
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Following much hard work, varietal development company Citrus Genesis will today introduce its new Octubrina clementine into U.K. Tesco stores. Here at www.freshfuritportal.com we speak with the citrus specialists to get a better understanding of the new and improved clementine and the innovation behind it.
A few years ago one associate citrus grower in the Citrus Genesis network noticed one tree in his Spanish orchard showing the early signs of producing a new variety. He realized he was onto something new when he noticed it was a particularly 'early tree compared to others and showed a break in color
After much watching and waiting it soon became clear the Nules variety the tree had been producing was undergoing a natural mutation.Â
A representative of ATM Fruit - part of the Muñoz Group that also encompasses Citrus Genesis - explained what was going on.
"There are different ways to get new varieties and the Octubrina is an example of a natural mutation. This is what Octubrina is because it was a Nules which is available in the winter in Spain between November and February," technical head Naomi Pendleton said.
Following re-grafting and planting, the Octubrina variety is currently being grown on three small farms across the Citrus Genesis network which works with growers in all the world's major citrus growing countries.
Currently the trees are in the early stages of development, so volumes for now are relatively small when compared against the potential for future yields.
However, volumes are significant enough for AMT Fruit - which is dedicated to a Tesco-specific customized supply chain -Â to launch Octubrina clementine in British stores for a three-week period.
"At the moment there are only three farms with small volumes and the trees are between one and four years old and trees do not come into the natural peak of production until about year seven,"Â Pendleton said.
"So years four, five and six are quite low volumes but from 2016 we've got other farms coming into production.
"We will have planting in the Southern Hemisphere as well so we might see the first fruit from Peru next year."
In total there is a combined land mass of approximately 100,000 hectares available to grow new varieties in Citrus Genesis operations.
"Obviously that is not all in new varieties at the moment but that is the land available. As new varieties come on people will be taking out the older varieties and replanting, so this is a significant proportion,"Â Pendleton said.
"Citrus Genesis looks from two sides; one is to give our customers what they want and the other is a focus on the growers.
"We're looking at things like more water-efficient varieties, better yields and root stocks, natural resistance to diseases so we can reduce pesticide use and basically lower input costs so that citrus farming can be sustainable and more viable, because a lot of growers are finding it quite tough in the current climate as costs of production go up and up."
She adds that traditionally citrus varieties have fluctuating yields with a one year on, one year off method that often results in high input costs against low returns - something that can be 'quite painful financially' for growers.
Meeting consumer expectations
Taking a look at the consumer facing side of the Octubrina, this new variety plays into the continuing trend for an easy peel, seedless citrus with a very good shelf-life.
"They (consumers) also want something that gives continuity to the range so you are not constantly dipping in and out of something that it too acidic and then something that is a bit bland,"Â Pendleton said.
"It's all about trying to get that continuity of goods that flows all year round."
The Octubrina is deep orange in color, seedless when grown in isolation and will replace the early season offerings of Marisol and Arrufatina in Tesco.
Tesco buyer Freddie Hancock is excited about the launch of the new variety.
"It is fantastic to see these new varieties hitting the shelves and providing a difference for our customers," he says in a statement sent to www.freshfruitportal.com.
"A lot of time and investment goes into developing them and we know there are many more great developments on the way."