Maximum authorised area for the Italian market has been reached, marking new phase of growth for the mandarin variety
Eurosemillas, the company holding the rights to the Tang Gold late-season mandarin, has announced that the maximum authorised area for this protected variety has been reached in Italy. The milestone marks a key stage in the variety’s consolidation and growth in the Italian market.
“The reproduction and distribution of Tang Gold plants (seedlings and grafts) is only permitted to authorised nurseries based in Spain. Therefore, any unauthorised supply of plants marketed in Italy will be considered illegal and without guarantees, both in terms of varietal authenticity and, in the case of unauthorised channels, phytosanitary certification, an essential requirement to guarantee plant health,” Eurosemillas said, adding that it would take all necessary legal action against any unauthorised use or reproduction of the variety.
For over ten years, Eurosemillas has maintained a highly structured varietal control system that covers the entire production chain. Control and certification are handled by Cyberagrópolis, a company guaranteeing the complete traceability of authorised production.
The variety has a labelling system specifically designed to prevent counterfeiting, while all authorised farms are digitally registered and monitored using an advanced geolocation system, which allows for the precise identification of authorised plants within each cultivated area. The system is complemented by numerous annual audits, conducted both in the field and at authorised packing facilities.
A key element of the control system is the use of molecular markers, specific DNA segments that allow for the unequivocal identification of the Tang Gold variety from any other mandarin. An external control body purchases the product at points of sale, guaranteeing the chain of custody, and then subjects it to genetic analysis in accredited laboratories. Tests are also carried out at authorised packing facilities and directly in the fields. In case of irregularities, such as the mixing of varieties or origin from unauthorised plantations, the system allows for the rapid and accurate identification of the offender.
“In the medium term, Italy will rank among the top three Tang Gold producers in the Mediterranean region,” Eurosemillas said. “Italian plantations are still young and have not yet reached their full production potential. Currently, most of the harvest is distributed in the domestic market, where Tang Gold is appreciated and marketed as a premium seedless mandarin in major wholesale markets, supermarkets, and hypermarkets.”
