PROTECTED CROATIAN AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS - Tangerines from the Neretva Valley

Tangerines from the Neretva Valley Tangerines from the Neretva Valley is a specific product whose name was registered under the Protected Designation of Origin, and is based on the uniqueness of this product that is the result of specific environmental factors present in the Neretva Valley and the farming tradition. Tangerines originate from the south-east Asia and the first groves in the Neretva Valley were planted during the middle of the 20th century. The tradition of farming tangerines in the Neretva Valley continued and the production intensified making it the main commercial citrus sort in the Republic of Croatia. For this reason, the tangerines from the Neretva Valley hold a high position in fruit production and consumption. This is exceptionally important for our economy because it is the most common subtropical fruit sort grown in Croatia and the only fruit sort exported in greater quantities. Due to the specific microclimate, pedological and hydrological conditions in the Neretva Valley, with the annual and daily-nightly temperature changes and lights, the tangerines from the Neretva Valley grown in that area are of high quality. They are used for human consumption, mostly when fresh, as well as for juice and other food derivatives. The value of the tangerines from the Neretva Valley is based on very interesting chemical fruit components with a special emphasis on sugars, organic acids, minerals, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, bioactive compounds, essential oils and other valuable organic ingredients. In addition, the fruit is valued because of its specific sweet-sour flavour, lack of seeds and skin that easily separates from the fruit core. The relation between the sugars and acids, the rich aroma and attractive colour of the edible part and skin make the tangerines from the Neretva Valley recognisable. In order to protect the recognisability, it is important to strive for quality and ensure product consistency. This means that the entire production process (from the production of seedlings, farming technology control to the preparation of the fruit for the market) must be done in the geographical area of the River Neretva Valley. The name “tangerines from the Neretva Valley” was registered at the level of the European Union on July 15th, 2015 under the Protected Designation of Origin protecting it from any type of misuse in the entire European Union. Only tangerines produced in accordance with the Product Specification for the Protected Designation of Origin can be sold on the market under the name of” tangerines from the Neretva Valley”. Only producers who have a valid Certificate of Product Compliance with Product Specifications issued by a competent control body may use the name. Associate Professor Martina Skendrović Babojelić, PhD University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agronomy Protected Designation of Origin, Protected Geographical Indication or Traditional Specialty Guaranteed are the marks of products whose names, as such, are protected in the entire European Union, and that are produced in accordance with the prescribed Product Specifications. With the protection of the name, the producers protect the reputation of their products from misuse. Once the product name is protected, it can be used only by those producers who have the proper Certificate of Product Compliance with Product Specifications. Penalties have been prescribed for each type of misuse. PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN is the mark of a product that is entirely produced within a specific geographical area utilizing acknowledged skills and using raw materials and ingredients from that area. The quality of such a product is directly tied to the natural and human factors of the geographical area of production. PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL DESIGNATION is the mark used for products that are, with their quality and reputation, tied to a specific geographical area where at least one, that is, crucial production phase, takes place.