The packing of orange boxes and women’s work
Historically, the sorting and packing of oranges has been women’s work. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, women were hired with lower pay and often without a formal contract, which led them to work long days during the citrus season (as old photos attest). There are old images and songs that document this unfair reality, such as “Ja ve l’aire” by Botifarra.
People often refer to the “confection” of orange boxes, as if it were the creation of a beautiful garment. Women carefully selected each orange and arranged them in the box with exquisite delicacy, resulting in a visually beautiful box of oranges. At that time (early 20th century), the boxes were wooden, and silk paper was used — some brands still do — to wrap the oranges.
The use of silk paper served two fundamental purposes. First, to preserve the durability of the oranges by avoiding moisture and preventing possible cross-contamination. Second, to give the box an exquisite and delicate aesthetic. This paper often also carried the company logo. On older papers, the export number was included, since Valencian oranges were mainly exported to Great Britain and France. These historical papers are true works of art that reflect the splendor of an era in which the orange trade was highly valued and lucrative. Each paper carried the company logo, and some even included slogans that today are considered real gems of early marketing.
In our warehouse, when freshly harvested oranges arrive, our team — also mostly women — takes care of preparing the boxes.
When we bring new people into our team, we don’t make gender a requirement, but it’s true that in the warehouse most workers are women, while in the groves men predominate. Since we live in a small community like the town of Cullera, both men and women know people who need work, which makes it easier to add new members to our team. On occasion, we ourselves have taken part in harvesting, although it’s not common. It’s also usual for pickers, once they have finished their work, to stay and help pack oranges alongside the women.
As for the orange packing process, we are aware that our approach does not seek to achieve the elegant and meticulous aesthetics of our mothers’ and grandmothers’ era in the warehouses of the past. As our customers know, we do not grade or arrange the oranges in the box to achieve an attractive look. Our main focus is to ensure you receive the tastiest and freshest oranges possible.