Tzaneen-based South African citrus exporter Xtreme International has confirmed that the it has also been licenced to export Tango mandarins from South Africa.
Tango, for which University of California Riverside (UCR) has recently been granted plant breeders’ rights in South Africa, has been the talk of the town in the country's citrus industry since the landmark decision to grand plant breeders’ rights to UCR.
Xtreme International is a grower-exporter and has confirmed that it has planted its first 105 hectares, which will deliver the first significant volumes next year.
“We are excited about Tango and the opportunity to market this exciting variety,” explains Cecelia Landman of Xtreme International. “We will be marketing our own fruit and this will allow us to add another exciting category to our citrus portfolio.”
Xtreme has strong marketing links in the east, but Landman says most of the early production will probably be destined for the United Kingdom. “Make no mistake, Tango will offer great opportunities for us in the Far East as well and we will make the most of what it offers us.”
So far AMC, Stargrow Marketing and FruitOne have been named as licensees along with Xtreme International. AMC will ship this season and is reported to already have 1,000ha under Tango planted with production set to increase significantly in 2017.
So the dance floor is set, the dancing partners are practicing their steps and later this year the party will start. One thing is certain, the late mandarin export profile from South Africa will look entirely different once the newcomer starts joining the fray!
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