History has it that the clementine was originally developed by a monk, called brother Marie-Clement Rodier, during the 19th century in Algeria, when he accidentally crossed two species of citrus fruits, creating a hybrid. But other experts say that the clementine actually originated in China thousands of years ago. Genomic analysis of the clementine has shown it to have arisen from a cross between a sweet orange, Citrus sinensis, and the Mediterranean willowleaf mandarin, Citrus deliciosa.
Clementines are often called Christmas oranges because their growing season is from the middle of November through the end of January.
In 2016, world production of clementines, mandarin oranges, tangarines and satsumas was 32.8 million tons, led by China with 52% of the global total. Producing more than one million tons each in 2016 were Spain, Turkey, Morocco, and Egypt.