Pink, juicy, and sweet flesh, packed with nutrients, and sustainably produced: the organic Cara Cara orange is a fruit to discover.

Discovered in the 1970s in Venezuela as a spontaneous mutation of the Washington Navel, the Cara Cara orange quickly gained appreciation in the market for its qualities. Its juicy and sweet flesh, with slightly tangy notes that resemble cherry, are what make this citrus a standout in winter tables, supported by its significant health benefits: the pinkish color of the flesh, unlike other red oranges, is not due to the presence of anthocyanins but to lycopene, a powerful antioxidant beneficial for prevention and anti-aging. Lycopene, along with vitamins, high water content, and low calorie intake, makes this fruit a wellness ally.

Available from December to April, the organic Cara Cara orange is a perfect example of how a premium taste can go hand-in-hand with sustainability, allowing for careful production that protects biodiversity and the ecosystem. This is the commitment of the members of the AOP Vi.Va group, who, together with the European Union, are at the heart of the It’s Bio project, designed to support and spread the values of organic farming among consumers in Italy, Belgium, and Greece.
From a production standpoint, Italy is a global leader in citrus production, thanks to particularly suited regions, with Sicily and Calabria accounting for most of the total 86,000 hectares (Source: Ismea Mercati 2024). Nearly 40,000 hectares are cultivated organically, an impressive figure that places Italy in the global lead, especially considering that Mexico, the second-largest global producer, has dedicated only 12,570 hectares, according to TrueNumbers’ 2019 research.

Purchasing and consuming organic citrus helps producers and manufacturing companies continue to invest in this sector, crucial for protecting the environment and combating climate change. Organic farming, in this sense, is the main resource, even in terms of the market. More and more consumers are purchasing organic products for ethical, environmental, and health reasons, as shown by the 2024 Image Observatory findings, which highlight a value of 3.8 billion euros in purchases in large-scale distribution (GDO), with a value increase of +5.2% compared to 2022 (the highest growth rate in recent years), while volumes remained unchanged.

It’s Bio is a project funded by the European Union and the AOP Vi.Va. Group, with the participation of Almaverde Bio, Apofruit, Codma OP, Ca’ Nova, Coop Sole, AOP La Mongolfiera, OrtoRomi, and OP Terre di Bari.