According to a statement issued by the association it is incomprehensible that with Clemenules, Hernandina and Clemenvilla still on trees, growers should begin their harvest of Ortanique. The association's president Cristobal Aguado said the practice happens year after year and is damaging to the whole sector as Ortanique arrives on the market and is confused with Clemenvilla but 'quality is not the same'.
The association is therefore calling on growers to carry out effective quality controls and the authorities to impose the necessary sanctions to stamp out the practice.
The season for Ortanique is the latest of the hybrid soft citrus varieties running after Hernandina. It is usually available in the UK from March to late May.
