In France, the clementine crop mainly comes from the province of Corsica, which produces more than 40,000 tons per year. However, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, it slowly begins to thrive in gardens over five to six years, replacing peach trees devastated by plum pox.
This virus, which is transmitted through biting insects, is currently one of the main problems faced by peach producers who are forced to diversify production. After walnuts, almonds and pomegranates too, it is clementines that are popular among arborists today. “This is primarily a response to the chicken pox crisis,” confirms Yannick Chevrier, director of Coop Latour, the department’s only organic cooperative.
Since 2017-2018, the members have planted new gardens from year to year, until now the area has reached around fifteen hectares. However, we are still far from full production in the Pyrénées-Orientales. “This is a tree that takes time to produce,” emphasizes Cédric Sanchez, an arborist in Ille-sur-Têt and another clementine plant pioneer. “The first big harvest arrives after five years. »
Facing wind and frost
“Apart from that, we had no technical references,” says Yannick Chevrier. “Roussillon is different from Corsica. We had to learn everything to adapt the trees here, their size, their location… »
Therefore, frost is a seasonal danger that is always possible, as happened last January with temperatures dropping to minus seven degrees Celsius. “Even if the climate changes, we must not forget that there is a difference between climate and weather, although the Spanish varieties planted limit the risks,” smiles Yannick Chevrier.
There’s wind too. Tramontana blowing one day in three is the mortal enemy of the clementine tree, which must seek shelter behind a hedge.
Each orchard should be able to produce an average of about fifteen tons of fruit, and the first clementines are being picked recently. Ultimately, and taking into account the plantings of recent years, Pyrénées-Orientales could produce 3,000 or 4,000 tonnes. Still far, very far, from Corsican producers!
