Growers at French marketer Prince de Bretagne have utilised their experience and know-how to ensure high quality and regular quantities during what has been a tough artichoke season.
According to Christian Bernard, who in addition to being a producer is also the new president of the regional section, revealed that problems initially arose as a result of an extremely mild winter, causing the artichoke heads to develop prematurely.
“We had early artichokes,” he said, “but they were not always top and we had to be very selective when harvesting to maintain the quality. In this field of Petit Violets, for example, I sacrificed the first harvest as I soon saw that it would not be satisfactory. By reworking very early in the spring, I initiated a second flowering, which is now beginning to produce, a little behind schedule but with guaranteed quality.”
The key to managing such an unpredictable season, Bernard explained, lay in taking action while the crop was growing.
“According to the weather conditions at any given time, we harvest more than usual, always keeping a close eye on quality,” he said. “Finally, our different terroirs in Finistère and Côtes d'Armor have allowed us to provide fairly regular volumes. With our four artichoke varieties and different packaging sizes, we offer something for all tastes and all colours.”
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