Citrus harvest: when oranges ripen in different countries of the world
Orange is one of the most popular fruits in the world. Orange large citrus is characterized by a high content of vitamin C and a pleasant sweet taste. Not only its pulp is used for food, but also its peel, which is rich in essential oils and healthy. Candied fruits, jam, and marmalade are made from it.
Most Russians associate the smell and taste of these fruits with the New Year. For this reason, many people believe that citrus fruits will ripen in winter. Let's look at when oranges actually ripen.
In which countries do oranges grow?
Orange - heat-loving tree, which does not tolerate frost and temperature changes. When it fluctuates within 8°C, the plant sheds its leaves. Wood is also sensitive to humidity levels: it is important to maintain them within 60–70%.
Oranges grow in warm, sunny countries whose climate meets the specified requirements. Since plants do not tolerate very high temperatures and humidity, planting them is impossible in the tropics.
This 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 most oranges grow, 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 Russian cities from Turkey, South Africa, India, and Mexico. Red Moroccan citrus fruits are also found on the shelves of large supermarkets.
The fruits are rare in the wild and their taste differs significantly from the taste 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 support the entire population.
Attention! Russia is the largest importer of oranges from Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and China.
Citrus fruits are possible 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 the full ripening of the fruit, it takes from 6 to 14 months.
Oranges take a long time to ripen. Therefore, a harvest ready for harvest can hang on the branches for 2-3 months without overripening.
In some countries, citrus fruits ripen twice a season. Thanks to this feature, oranges are on store shelves all year round.
Attention! For export to Russia, oranges that are still green and unripe are usually collected. This way they don’t spoil on the road, but keep up during transportation or already in the store’s warehouse.
In most countries that import oranges to Russia, citrus fruits ripen in winter or autumn.Therefore, in our stores it is during the cold season that oranges are the cheapest.
Ripening times in different growing areas
The ripening time of citrus fruits depends on the country of growth.
Possible options:
- USA. Oranges are harvested from October to June and from March to October (depending on the variety).
- Spain. Citrus fruits ripen from December to July.
- South Africa. The harvest lasts from July to December.
- Egypt. The orange season lasts from January to July.
- Türkiye. It produces fruits from January to May and from October to December.
- Argentina. Fruits are collected from May to September.
- Uruguay. Exports fruits from May to July, from August to November, from June to August (different varieties).
- Morocco. Orange trees bear fruit from November to March, from February to April (different varieties).
- Abkhazia. The fruits are harvested in winter.
- Greece. Refers to countries in which the fruits ripen in winter.
Ripening times for different varieties
The ripening time of oranges depends not only on where they are brought from, but also on the variety.
The most popular plants produced on an industrial scale:
- Valencia. The most popular variety of orange. It is distinguished by 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.
- 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.
- Celustiana. Orange juicy fruits 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.
- Shamouti. Fragrant and juicy fruits with light orange flesh. They grow in Turkey and Israel. Ripe fruits are collected from January to March.
- Washington Sanguine. Large oranges with juicy pulp and tart taste. The harvest is harvested in Morocco from February to April.
- Maroc Leith. The juiciest variety, the fruits are very sweet. They are collected in Morocco from March to July.
This is interesting:
The benefits and harms of orange peels, rules for their preparation, storage and use
Healthy snack before bed: is it possible to eat oranges at night?
Conclusion
The opinion that oranges only ripen in winter is wrong. In fact, citrus fruits are harvested all year round. Ripening time depends on the country of growth and plant variety.
In most countries that export citrus fruits to Russia, orange crops are harvested in winter. That is why in the cold season their prices decrease.