A new greenhouse gas inventory covering all Spanish Nadorcott mandarin orchards found the crop captured more carbon than it emitted in each of 12 growing seasons from 2013/14 to 2024/25. The study, presented at Fruit Attraction by the Protected Plant Varieties Club, used georeferenced plots, field inspections, and management records from 1,214 producers across nearly 9,000 hectares. Over the full period, the orchards captured 2.6 million tons of CO2 equivalent and emitted 1.27 million tons, for a net gain of 1.33 million tons. The calculations follow GHG Protocol methods, with independent verification under ISO 14064-3 and AENOR certification. The club says the inventory does not claim the mandarins are carbon neutral and does not include transport, packaging, or distribution. It only measures the agricultural system at the farm gate. Nitrogen fertilization is listed as the main source of emissions, and the group plans to keep measuring each season with the same methodology. The new NCTT Spain label includes a QR code that links to the supporting evidence, so buyers and consumers can check the methodology and certification details. The project is an example of plot-level carbon accounting in fresh produce, though the durability of soil carbon storage and the exclusion of downstream supply chain emissions are worth noting when comparing labels.
