Spanish clementines

Spanish citrus producers in the region of Valencia have commenced their first shipments of clementines to Russia of the campaign, with the sector aiming to consolidate its presence in the market over the course of 2010.

The first shipments of the season, on the vessel 'Green Summer' operated by Green Reefers, will leave the Port of Castellón next week bound for St Petersburg with 2,300 pallets of clementines.

Juan Safont, president of leading Spanish export association Anecoop, told Diario del Puerto that the sector would consider increasing the volumes shipped to Russia if they received a good reaction from consumers.

'The opening of a new market is always good news, but we have to move cautiously, take very good care of the cargo and see how it reaches the consumers – depending on all these factors, we will look at whether we should make another two shipments,' he said.