ORANGES

Gisborne is NZ’s largest supplier of Oranges with some 85% of the national crop grown in this region. Supply is divided between Navel and Valencias with the former accounting for approximately 75% of the overall total. With significant demand for Valencias for juicing and strong competition from imported Californian Navels during the NZ summer a large proportion of the Valencia crop is sold to processors.

NAVEL ORANGES

ORIGIN

The Sweet Orange like most other citrus varieties probably originated between South-west China and North-east India and have been cultivated for several thousand years. There is speculation that the sweet orange is a natural hybrid of pummelo and mandarin but its true identity may never be known with certainty.

The oldest NZ commercial plantings are well over 30 years old. Gisborne is the main growing region in New Zealand with over 70% of NZ’s production coming from this region.

There has been a lot of new Navel varieties planted in the past 5 years. Blocks of Navelina and Newhall are coming on stream this year and are showing fantastic potential for earlier harvest. There are also plantings of late Navels (Barnfield & Summer Gold) coming on stream this year.

FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS

Generally speaking Navels are the earliest maturing variety of the orange family, producing seedless fruit of larger size than most others, with deep orange colour and easier to peel. The segments are easily parted, the flesh firm, moderately juicy and of fine, rich sweet flavour balanced with a slightly tangy acidity.

TIMING

The season typically runs from mid/late July through until late November / Early December. The new early and late varieties will extend the total length of the season by 4-6 weeks.

VARIETIES