Faro, Portugal, Sept. 24, 2025 (Lusa) - Southern Portugal's Algarve region citrus industry is set to launch a promotional campaign to internationalise the Algarve Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in the Spanish, French, German and Canadian markets, AlgarOrange, the regional association of citrus operators, announced on Wednesday.
The first promotional event will take place between 30 September and 2 October in Madrid, with the participation of Citrinos do Algarve PGI in the ‘Fruit Attraction’ trade fair, and will include four other events in these four foreign markets, as well as three initiatives in the Algarve region, until the end of 2026, AlgarOrange said in a statement.
"Spain, France, Germany and Canada are the chosen destinations, not only because they are markets with growth potential for Citrinos do Algarve PGI, but also because they host the largest international trade fairs in the sector, bringing together thousands of potential customers from all over the world," explained the Algarve citrus fruit producers' association.
These initiatives seek to "increase the recognition, notoriety and international visibility" of the PGI and "promote its quality, differentiation and added value in the perception of international consumers," AlgarOrange also argued, emphasising the region's role as Portugal's largest citrus producer.
"The slogan chosen to communicate this initiative is “Get the taste. Feel the sun”. It invites consumers to taste oranges, tangerines, clementines or lemons produced in the Algarve under excellent conditions," it said.
Among the conditions of "excellence" for Algarve PGI Citrus Fruits are "the soil and climate" of the region, where exposure to the sun allows the fruit to achieve "the right balance between sweetness and acidity" and a "high juice content", according to the producers' association.
"This is a large-scale, ambitious project that will put Algarve Citrus PGI on the international map. We are opening doors in strategic markets and strengthening the competitiveness of companies in the region," said José Oliveira, president of AlgarOrange, quoted in the statement.
The citrus producers' association pointed out that this strategy to promote the PGI is part of the ‘Internacionalizar + Algarve 3.0’ project, which is funded by the European Algarve2030 Programme and seeks to strengthen the region's international recognition.
The project is co-promoted by NERA - Algarve Region Business Association, AlgarOrange, the Algarve Tourism Association, the Algarve Wine Commission, the Algarve Tourism Region and the University of the Algarve, the statement added.
Citrinos do Algarve PGI is produced by 15 regional operators in the districts of Albufeira, Castro Marim, Faro, Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé (except the parish of Ameixial), Monchique, Olhão, Portimão, São Brás de Alportel, Silves, Tavira (except for the parish of Cachopo) and Vila Real de Santo António.
The production of Citrinos do Algarve PGI exceeded 64,000 tonnes in the 2023/2024 harvest, the association also quantified, noting that this was the "highest figure in the last eight years".
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