Production method: The citrus fruits of the Algarve are produced mainly from the following varieties: Dalmau (Navelina), Newhall and Valencia Late (oranges), Okitsu, Fortuna, Encore, Ortanique, Clementina F [illeg.], Clementina Nules, Arrufantina, Hermandina, Fremont, Setubale [illeg.], Tangera, Tangerina Nova (Clemenvilla) (small citrus fruits), M [illeg.] Seedless, Star Ruby (grapefruit), Eureka, Lisboa, Lunário (lemons).
Distinctive features: Citrinos do Algarve PGI citrus fruits have thin skins, are intensely coloured and extremely juicy and full of flavour. The Algarve climate guarantees two fruiting periods each year: from December to January and June to July.
Production area: Citrinos do Algarve PGI citrus fruits production area is restricted to the sub-districts of Albufeira, Castro Marim, Farim, Faro, Lagoa, Lagos, Monchique, Olhão, Portimão, S. Brás de Alportel, Silves, Vila Real de Santo António, Loulé (except for the parish of Ameixial) and Tavira (except for the parish of Cachopo).
History: Citrinos do Algarve PGI citrus fruit trees became an integral part of the flora of the south of the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean from the end of the 13th century, through trade, begun by the Genoese overland and the Portuguese by sea, with China, Japan and India. A phenomenon resulting from this is that some varieties of these fruits have acquired the name “Portuguesas” on the European coast of the Mediterranean, “Bourtougais” in the Arab areas and “Porthogal” in the areas under Persian influence. From here citrus fruit cultivation spread throughout the world. The Arabs cultivated these fruits on the West African coast as far as Mozambique; Christopher Columbus took them as far as Haiti; the British and Dutch as far as South Africa and Australia and the Portuguese to South America. In the Algarve, in olden times, Christmas trees were decorated with citrus fruits, testament to the importance of these fruits in the life of the region.
Product specification (pdf)
Producer group
UNIPROFRUTAL - União dos produtores horto-fruticolas do Algarve
Control and certification body
Kiwa Sativa – Unipessoal, Lda.
Control plan
Control plan (pdf)
Publication in EU official journal
Regulamento (CE) n.º 1107/96 da Comissão de 12.06.1996 - L 148/1
Publication in the Portuguese official journal
Aviso n.º 21542/2011 de 31.10.2011
Despacho n.º 63/1994 de 15.02.1994