Sicilian citrus specialist Coa is celebrating after its red-fleshed, seedless clementine Mandarossa was recognised as a leading example of innovation in the fresh produce business.
The variety won the MMG Citrus Innovation Award at this year’s Fruit Attraction exhibition in Madrid, Spain, following its introduction to the UK market earlier this year.
The four judges, all of them from Fresca, added that the variety was the result of a long selection process that led to the birth of a new product, one whose “outstandingly attractive taste, total lack of pips and bright red pulp made it hugely popular with UK consumers”.
Mandarossa is the trade name of Mandared, a hybrid of the clementine and Tarocco blood orange developed in Acireale, in the province of Catania, in 1985.
It made its debut in the UK during the first four months of 2014, when it appeared on the shelves of Marks & Spencer.
“This prize brings us great pleasure,” commented Rocco Lardaruccio, chief executive of Coa. “It rewards the efforts our company has made to innovate, in order to benefit our client companies and our end consumers.”
He added: “The prize received in Madrid is a recognition of our work ethos, our commitment and our ability to draw strength from the particular features of our home territory.
“Features which are strongly appreciated in northern European countries in particular, where top sector specialists recognise and reward the quality of the produce created by Sicilian skill and efficiency.”
The MMG prize is awarded every year by leading UK-based produce marketer Fresca Group, the parent group of Mack and Martinavarro joint venture MMG Citrus, to raise the profile of specific products from its best suppliers.
Coa markets a number of products under brands including the Calice d’Oro trademark.
