The mandarin Nadorcott, one of the most commercially successful varieties on the global citrus market, has Moroccan origins; however, its current market model has been shaped through the international system of plant variety rights protection. It is precisely the combination of local roots, export orientation, and strict licensing that has turned Nadorcott into one of the most tightly controlled varieties in global citrus trade, EastFruit reports.
Outside Morocco, a key role in managing the variety on the European market is played by Compañía de Variedades Vegetales Protegidas (CVVP). The plant variety protection for Nadorcott will remain in force until December 31, 2029, and until that date, any planting, grafting, or expansion of orchards is permitted only within the framework of valid licenses.
Against the backdrop of the final stage of protection, as noted by FreshPlaza, the 2026 harvest has already begun on the Iberian Peninsula. The campaign started slightly earlier than usual. The officially estimated planted area amounts to around 9,200 hectares, mainly in Spain. Due to weather conditions during the flowering period and a number of related factors, production volumes this season are expected to be approximately 15% lower than last year.
Control Tightens Ahead of the End of Variety Protection
As the end of the protection period approaches, rights holders and the managing structure are strengthening control over compliance with licensing conditions.
“We are in the final years before the end of Nadorcott protection, and it is extremely important that growers understand the need to strictly respect this deadline,” emphasizes Reyes Moratal, manager of CVVP.
According to her, the greatest risks are associated with attempts to establish orchards prematurely.
“There may be growers who want to save time and start planting before the variety becomes free. Therefore, if Nadorcott production is detected in 2030 or 2031 on a farm without a license, this would mean that the trees were planted or grafted during the protection period, and that would constitute an infringement.”
CVVP stresses that the protection of the interests of rights holders and licensed growers will not automatically end with the expiration of the protection period.
“We will continue to defend the interests of our partners beyond December 31, 2029, taking all the necessary extrajudicial and legal measures to prevent the variety from being illegally exploited,” says Reyes Moratal.
Inspections, Sanctions, and Protection of Law-Abiding Growers
In the final years of protection, CVVP is increasing the number of inspections and investing additional resources in monitoring compliance with licensing conditions. Violations may result in significant fines and the uprooting of orchards, including cases where the actual number of trees exceeds the quantities stipulated in the license.
“For us, it is fundamentally important to protect those growers who do things properly. Last year, we inspected 40% of the total acreage, and every year we will increase this percentage,” notes the CVVP manager.
From Market Skepticism to a Recognized Variety Management Model
CVVP was one of the first organizations in Spain to successfully implement a centralized management model for protected varieties. According to Reyes Moratal, attitudes toward intellectual property in fruit production have changed dramatically in recent years.
“In the early days, it was extremely difficult, because it was traditionally hard for society to imagine that a fruit could have intellectual property rights. Despite significant effort and resources, in 2026 our mindset is light years ahead of what it was in the past, and today no one questions the benefits of this management model for all links in the value chain.”
Today, CVVP manages several plant varieties, acting on behalf of the rights holders.
“The authority to grant permissions to producers is delegated to us by the rights holders of the varieties. Our work consists of processing these authorizations, acting as intermediaries between rights holders and growers, and providing producers with support on all issues — from administration to consultation and assistance,” explains Reyes Moratal.
Morocco – the Birthplace of Nadorcott and a Key Export Player
Although today the bulk of licensed orchards is located in Spain, the origin of the Nadorcott variety is directly linked to Morocco. The variety was discovered in Moroccan breeding collections and was named after the Nador region. In a number of markets, it is also known under the commercial name Afourer.
Morocco remains one of the world’s key producers and exporters of Nadorcott, supplying the European Union, the United Kingdom, North America, and Middle Eastern countries. The harvest season in the country usually runs from January to April, making Moroccan Nadorcott an important component of global winter–spring mandarin supply.
Production is concentrated in major citrus-growing regions, including Souss-Massa, Gharb, Berkane, Marrakech-Safi, and Béni Mellal, and the variety is considered one of the most commercially successful Moroccan citrus fruits thanks to its flavor profile, attractive appearance, and good transportability.
Thus, Nadorcott remains a clear example of a variety with local origins that has been integrated into a global system of intellectual property and licensed production, with the final years of its protection becoming critically important for the entire market.
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