Orange Algarve with European Seal: The Cadial Successful History [vídeo]

In order to promote and promote the ongoing transformation in Algarve agriculture, following the evolution of this strategic sector for the socioeconomic development of Europe, the Algarve Coordination and Regional Development Commission (CCDR) is promoting a short video campaign, in partnership with the region’s National Rural Network and the region’s agrifood sector. These videos tell real stories, in the first person, of successful cases supported by European funds, such as Cacial.

In the year when the UN proclaims the International Year of Cooperatives, CCDR Algarve highlights Cacial – Algarve Citriculum Agricultural Cooperative, created in 1964 to respond to the need for commercialization of oranges produced in the region. Headquartered in Almancil, in the municipality of Loulé, the cooperative currently has about 50 members and 200 workers.

Cadial is the only citrus cooperative in the country and represents the Algarve in the ranking of the 100 largest national cooperatives, with a turnover of 27.16 million euros, according to Cases – António Sérgio cooperative for the social economy, released at the International Day of Cooperatives 2024.

The cooperative sector of agriculture plays a key role in the concentration of supply, production planning, market orientation and valuing local products. In 1994, with the recognition of Algarve citruss as a product with protected geographical indication (IGP), the management of the use of this quality reference was attributed to Cacial. Later, in 1998, this competence went to Uniprofutal-Union of Producers Algarve’s garden-frutic.

Although not currently the IGP management entity, Cacial continues to play an essential role in algarve citrus, remaining involved in the production and marketing of citrus with this certification, contributing decisively to the promotion and appreciation of national and international markets.

IGP certification and its commercial appreciation are, in recent years, one of the main engines of the success of the Algarve agrifood sector. It is estimated that 60% of regional citrus exports and 40% of large distribution sales are made with this quality seal. The 2023/24 campaign reached a record, with more than 64,000 tons of algarve IGP citrus citrus.

With the increase in demand for Portuguese orange, it has been betting heavily on international promotion. Among the export markets, we highlight the “Mercado da Saudade”, directed to countries such as France, Luxembourg and Switzerland, where many Portuguese communities that seek the authentic flavors of their homeland reside.

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