The Finca Dehesa de Pinohermoso will host the first edition of the 'Corte del Limón', an initiative by Orihuela's Department of Agriculture. The event aims to recognize the significance of the lemon as a symbol of the local landscape and an economic driver for the municipality, which dedicates over 4,000 hectares to this crop.
The Councilor for Agriculture, Noelia Grao, highlighted Fruit Attraction as a "main international showcase for the fruit and vegetable sector" and an ideal venue for presenting this event. She emphasized the City Council's commitment to promoting local products and acknowledging agriculture's historical contribution to wealth and employment.
The Juzgado Privativo de Aguas de Orihuela (Water Court of Orihuela) will be the sponsor of this inaugural edition, recognizing its close ties to Orihuela's agricultural history, its irrigated lands (huerta), and traditional irrigation systems. The goal is for this celebration to become a recurring and consolidated annual event.
Citrus production, featuring varieties like Fino and Verna, plays a significant role in Orihuela and the wider Vega Baja region, with a notable presence in international markets. The president of ASAJA Alicante, José Vicente Andreu, welcomed the initiative, noting that lemon cultivation, spanning nearly 18,000 hectares in the region, already had such recognitions.
Andreu mentioned that the current campaign is experiencing a slight delay due to the influx of South African lemons into the European market, although national production forecasts indicate a 10% increase. He anticipates a stable campaign with profitable margins for all stakeholders in the value chain.
The Mayor of Orihuela, Pepe Vegara, underscored the municipality's presence at Fruit Attraction and the strong connection between Orihuela and its primary sector. He recalled how lemons have historically projected the city's name, describing them as "quality, future, and part of our way of being".
Vegara also highlighted the quality of local products from the Vega Baja, such as artichokes, lemons, and oranges, which are integral to the local identity and highly sought after by the market.
