Citrus harvest: when oranges ripen around the world

Orange is one of the most popular fruits in the world. Orange large citrus has a high vitamin C content and a pleasant sweet taste. Not only its pulp is used for food, but also the peel, which is rich in essential oils and is useful. Candied fruits, jam, marmalade are prepared from it.

Most Russians associate the smell and taste of these fruits with the New Year. For this reason, many believe that citrus ripens in winter. Consider when the oranges actually ripen.

In which countries do oranges grow

Orange - thermophilic woodthat does not tolerate frost and temperature changes... When it fluctuates within 8 ° C, the plant sheds its leaves. Wood is also sensitive to moisture indicators: it is important to maintain them within 60-70%.

Oranges grow in warm sunny countries, the climate of which meets the specified requirements. Since the plants do not tolerate too high temperatures and humidity, planting them is not possible in the tropics.

It is interesting! In total, there are about 400 varieties of orange. Only 30 of them are grown on an industrial scale.

The culture prefers a warm subtropical climate. Its historical homeland is China, but now oranges are grown all over the world.

Where do oranges grow most, in which country:

• Egypt;
• Morocco;
• Spain;
• China;
• Iran;
• USA;
• Pakistan;
• Iraq;
• Italy;
• India;
• Greece;
• Cyprus;
• Mexico;
• South Africa;
• Abkhazia;
• Sicily.

Oranges are brought to Moscow and other cities of Russia from Turkey, South Africa, India, Mexico. Red Moroccan citrus fruits are also found in large supermarkets.

Fruits are rare in the wild, and their taste differs significantly from that of cultivated varieties.

Where do they grow in Russia

Citrus fruits are not able to grow in the climatic conditions of the northern and central regions, but in the south of Russia they are quite capable of ripening and delighting with a bountiful harvest.

In our country, citrus fruits are grown in the Krasnodar Territory, Sochi, Crimea, and the North Caucasus. However, the plantations there are not large enough to supply the entire population.

Attention! Russia is the largest importer of oranges from Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and China.

Citrus can to plant in a greenhouse or greenhouse in almost all regions of the Russian Federation. If you create suitable conditions for the plants (warm and humid climate, constant lighting, correct wintering temperature), they will even bear fruit.

Russian breeders have developed varieties with increased cold resistance.

Harvest ripening time by region

The ripening time of citrus fruits depends on the variety and country of growth. From the moment of flowering to full ripening of the fruit, it takes from 6 to 14 months.

Oranges take a long time to ripen. Therefore, the harvest ready for harvest can hang on the branches for 2-3 months without overripe.

In some countries, citrus fruits ripen 2 times per season. Thanks to this feature, oranges are on store shelves all year round.

Attention! For export to Russia, as a rule, still green unripe oranges are harvested. So they do not deteriorate on the road, but keep up with transportation or already at the store's warehouse.

In most countries that import oranges to Russia, citrus fruits ripen in winter or autumn. Therefore, oranges are the cheapest in our stores during the cold season.

Ripening dates in different growing places

The ripening time of citrus fruits depends on the country of origin.

Possible options:

1. USA.Oranges are harvested from October to June and from March to October (depending on the variety).
2. Spain. Citruses ripen from December to July.
3. South Africa. Harvesting lasts from July to December.
4. Egypt. The orange season runs from January to July.
5. Turkey. Pleases with fruits from January to May and from October to December.
6. Argentina. The fruits are harvested from May to September.
7. Uruguay. Exports fruits from May to July, from August to November, from June to August (various varieties).
8. Morocco. Orange trees bear fruit from November to March, from February to April (different varieties).
9. Abkhazia. The fruits are harvested in winter.
10. Greece. Refers to countries in which the fruits ripen in winter.

Ripening dates of different varieties

The ripening time for oranges depends not only on where they are brought from, but also on the variety.

The most popular plants that are produced on an industrial scale:

1. Valencia. The most sought-after orange variety. Differs in high juiciness and rich taste. The peel is yellow-green. It is these fruits that are most often found on store shelves. In South Africa and Uruguay, ripening occurs from July to December, in Spain and Turkey - from March to July, in Egypt - from February to July, in Greece and Argentina - from May to September.
2. Washington Navel... Large and juicy seedless fruits. The peel is easily separated from the pulp, the slices are well separated. In Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Greece, fruits ripen from November to May, in Argentina and Uruguay - from May to September.
3. Selustiana. Orange juicy fruit with a rich sweet taste. In Spain they sing from December to April, in Uruguay - from June to August, in Morocco - from February to April.
4. Shamuti. Fragrant and juicy fruits with light orange pulp. They grow in Turkey, Israel. Ripe fruits are harvested from January to March.
5. Washington Sanguine... Large oranges with juicy pulp and tart taste. Harvested in Morocco from February to April.
6. Mark Leith. The most juicy variety, the fruits are very sweet. They are collected in Morocco from March to July.

It is interesting:

The benefits and harms of orange peels, the rules for their preparation, storage and use

Can I drink orange juice on an empty stomach: the benefits and harms of freshly squeezed citrus

A healthy snack before bed: is it possible to eat oranges at night

Conclusion

The opinion that oranges ripen only in winter is wrong. In fact, citrus fruits delight in harvest all year round. Ripening dates depend on the country of growth and plant variety.

In most countries exporting citrus fruits to Russia, orange crops are harvested in winter. That is why, in the cold season, their prices go down.